What is the training session called in which responses are reinforced in the presence of a specific stimulus and not reinforced in its absence?

What is the training session called in which responses are reinforced in the presence of a specific stimulus and not reinforced in its absence?

• A. Chaining training
• B. Extinction training
• C. Discrimination training
• D. Prompting training

Answer: (C)

Discrimination training creates stimulus control over a behavior by reinforcing the response only when a specific stimulus is present. The presence of that stimulus signals that reinforcement is available, so the learner strengthens the response in that context. When the stimulus is absent (or a different one is present), reinforcement does not occur and the response is suppressed. This yields precise responding to the cue while ignoring other contexts. For example, a rat might learn to press a lever only when a green light is on; pressing when the light is off doesn’t lead to reinforcement. This reflects the cue (the green light) controlling the response. Chaining training builds a sequence of behaviors that reinforce one another, not the presence vs. absence of a stimulus. Extinction training involves removing reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, reducing its frequency. Prompting training uses prompts to elicit a correct response, often followed by fading the prompts.

Discrimination training creates stimulus control over a behavior by reinforcing the response only when a specific stimulus is present. The presence of that stimulus signals that reinforcement is available, so the learner strengthens the response in that context. When the stimulus is absent (or a different one is present), reinforcement does not occur and the response is suppressed. This yields precise responding to the cue while ignoring other contexts.

For example, a rat might learn to press a lever only when a green light is on; pressing when the light is off doesn’t lead to reinforcement. This reflects the cue (the green light) controlling the response.

Chaining training builds a sequence of behaviors that reinforce one another, not the presence vs. absence of a stimulus. Extinction training involves removing reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, reducing its frequency. Prompting training uses prompts to elicit a correct response, often followed by fading the prompts.