Stimulus Discrimination

Definition

Stimulus discrimination is the ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that have not been paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Analogy

Think of it like your alarm clock. You've learned to wake up when you hear your specific alarm sound (conditioned stimulus), but if someone else's alarm goes off, you don't react the same way because it hasn't been paired with the act of waking up (unconditioned stimulus).

Theoretical Perspectives

Stimulus discrimination is understood through behaviorism, particularly classical and operant conditioning. It involves recognizing differences between similar stimuli and responding only to the specific conditioned stimulus.

Study And Research Findings

Study and Research Findings

Related terms

Generalization: This is when a conditioned response happens in reaction to similar stimuli to the conditioned stimulus.

Conditioning: The process of learning associations between environmental events and behavioral responses.

Unconditioned Stimulus: A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without any learning needed.