Which term describes a stimulus that signals reinforcement is available in the presence of a particular response?

Which term describes a stimulus that signals reinforcement is available in the presence of a particular response?

• A. Punisher
• B. Discriminative stimulus
• C. Appetitive
• D. Extinction

Answer: (B)

This question tests discriminative stimuli—the cue that signals reinforcement is available for a behavior. A discriminative stimulus doesn’t itself reinforce; rather, it indicates that if the desired response occurs in its presence, reinforcement will follow. It sets the occasion for the behavior to occur more readily when the cue is present, which is how learning to discriminate contexts or signals operates. For example, in a training scenario, a light might come on only when a reward is available for pressing a lever. The light serves as the discriminative stimulus: its presence tells the animal that pressing the lever will be reinforced, so the animal is more likely to press when the light is on. Why the other terms don’t fit as well: a punisher is something that follows a behavior to reduce or weaken it, not to signal reinforcement. Extinction describes the process of reinforcement stopping, leading to a decrease in the behavior over time. Appetitive refers to a desirable stimulus or goal value, not the signaling role of a cue that indicates reinforcement is available.

This question tests discriminative stimuli—the cue that signals reinforcement is available for a behavior. A discriminative stimulus doesn’t itself reinforce; rather, it indicates that if the desired response occurs in its presence, reinforcement will follow. It sets the occasion for the behavior to occur more readily when the cue is present, which is how learning to discriminate contexts or signals operates.

For example, in a training scenario, a light might come on only when a reward is available for pressing a lever. The light serves as the discriminative stimulus: its presence tells the animal that pressing the lever will be reinforced, so the animal is more likely to press when the light is on.

Why the other terms don’t fit as well: a punisher is something that follows a behavior to reduce or weaken it, not to signal reinforcement. Extinction describes the process of reinforcement stopping, leading to a decrease in the behavior over time. Appetitive refers to a desirable stimulus or goal value, not the signaling role of a cue that indicates reinforcement is available.