PSYC 154 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Stimulus Control, Latte, Starbucks
Document Summary
Context in which you encounter stimulus determines your response to it. Includes things like location, previous experience, social situation, etc. Antecedent- stimulus event that occurs before an operant response. Understanding antecedents gives us info about circumstances under which a behavior is reinforced and when it is not reinforced or punished. Stimulus control- the effects of reinforcement, extinction, and punishment are situation specific (see above) A behavior is under stimulus control when there is an increased probability that it will occur in the presence of a specific antecedent stimulus or class of stimuli. Generally, in a routine situation people are under stimulus control, meaning that their responses to stimuli are automatic (because they"ve seen it all before and know how to act) Behavior is reinforced in specific circumstances (when specific antecedents are present) Behavior is more likely to occur in the future in similar circumstances (when similar antecedents are present) Reinforcement contingencies are only appropriate in certain specific situations.
