Behavior Analysis: Stimulus Classes

Questions and Answers

What is an antecedent stimulus class?

A set of stimuli that share a common relationship (correct)

A type of arbitrary stimulus class

A set of unrelated stimuli

A conditional relation between stimuli

Which of the following is an example of an arbitrary stimulus class?

Red, blue, green

Triangle, circle, square

Dog, Cat, Fish

Peanuts, cheese, milk, chicken breast (correct)

What is concept formation?

Acquiring a concept based on antecedent stimuli and feedback.

What defines a discriminative stimulus (Sd)?

A stimulus where responses have been reinforced in its presence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature stimulus class?

Stimuli that share common physical forms or relations Signup and view all the answers

What is a stimulus delta (SΔ)?

A stimulus where a behavior has not produced reinforcement in the past. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus control?

When the rate, latency, duration, or amplitude of a response is altered by antecedent stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What does stimulus generalization refer to?

Responses to stimuli that share similar characteristics as the controlling stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during stimulus discrimination?

New stimuli that are similar to the controlling stimulus do not evoke the same response. Signup and view all the answers

What does a stimulus generalization gradient depict?

The degree of stimulus generalization and discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What is matching-to-sample?

A procedure for investigating conditional relations and stimulus equivalence. Signup and view all the answers

What defines stimulus equivalence?

Accurate responding to untrained stimulus-stimulus relations following reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is reflexivity in the context of stimulus relations?

A relation where the learner matches a stimulus with itself without prior training. Signup and view all the answers

What does symmetry refer to in stimulus relations?

Reversibility of matched sample and comparison stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is transitivity in stimulus relations?

A derived relation where untrained connections emerge after training on two others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of stimulus discrimination training?

To reinforce responses in the presence of one stimulus but not another. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antecedent Stimulus Class

A collection of stimuli that evoke the same operant response or elicit the same respondent behavior.
Example: The term "red" elicits the response to various red objects, but different shades that don’t evoke the response do not belong to this class.

Arbitrary Stimulus Class

Comprises antecedent stimuli that elicit the same response without sharing physical characteristics.
Example: Items like peanuts, cheese, and chicken breast can evoke the response 'source of protein.'

Concept Formation

Concept acquisition relies on antecedent stimuli and the consequences of responses.
Involves the dual process of stimulus generalization (within a class) and discrimination (between classes).

Discriminative Stimulus (Sd)

A stimulus where certain responses have been reinforced and where these responses receive differential reinforcement history.
Presence of Sd increases the likelihood of responding.

Feature Stimulus Class

Composed of stimuli that share similar physical forms or relational attributes.
Example: All dogs represent a feature stimulus class based on their common physical traits.

Stimulus Delta (SΔ)

A stimulus that indicates the absence of reinforcement for a particular behavior based on past experiences.

Stimulus Control

Occurs when the characteristics of a response change in the presence of a stimulus.
Control is established when behavior is reinforced more in the presence of a stimulus compared to its absence.

Stimulus Generalization

Happens when stimuli similar to a controlling stimulus produce the same behavioral response.

Stimulus Discrimination

Opposite of generalization; involves new stimuli similar to a controlling stimulus failing to evoke the same response.

Stimulus Generalization Gradient

A graphical representation that shows how much responses vary across different stimuli compared to a trained/specific stimulus.

Matching-to-Sample

A method to evaluate conditional relations and stimulus equivalence.
Involves choosing a comparison stimulus that matches a presented sample stimulus; correct selections receive reinforcement.

Stimulus Equivalence

Occurs when accurate responses appear for non-trained stimulus relations after conditioning for other relations.
Requires reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity among stimuli.

Reflexivity

A self-relation where learners can select a comparison stimulus identical to the sample stimulus without prior specific reinforcement.

Symmetry

Demonstrates reversible relations between stimuli; if A equals B, then B equals A, shown through matching-to-sample tasks.

Transitivity

Involves emergent relationships between stimuli not explicitly trained; if A relates to B and B to C, then A can relate to C without further instruction.

Stimulus Discrimination Training

Requires a behavior with two antecedent conditions, reinforcing responses with one stimulus (Sd) but not another (SΔ), leading participants to learn to avoid responding to SΔ over time.

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Description

This quiz explores various types of stimulus classes including antecedent, arbitrary, and feature stimulus classes, as well as concept formation and the role of discriminative stimuli in behavior analysis. Test your understanding of how these concepts influence operant responses and behavioral reinforcement.