Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
External stimuli refer to the sensory inputs that we receive from the environment around us, such as sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch. These stimuli can influence our motivations and behaviors.
Sensory perception is the process by which our senses detect and interpret external stimuli. It involves how we see, hear, taste, smell, and feel the world around us.
Operant conditioning is a learning theory that focuses on how external stimuli (rewards and punishments) shape our behaviors through reinforcement and punishment.