Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiscrimination in Classical ConditioningExamples of Stimulus DiscriminationDiscrimination in Operant ConditioningStimulus Discrimination vs. Stimulus GeneralizationFrequently Asked Questions

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Table of Contents

Discrimination in Classical Conditioning

Examples of Stimulus Discrimination

Discrimination in Operant Conditioning

Stimulus Discrimination vs. Stimulus Generalization

Frequently Asked Questions

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Stimulus discrimination is a term used in bothclassical and operant conditioning. It involves the ability to distinguish between one stimulus and similar stimuli. In both cases, it means responding only to certain stimuli, and not responding to those that are similar.

This article discusses how stimulus discrimination works, when it occurs, and how it can affect behavior. It also covers how it differs from stimulus generalization.

At a GlanceStimulus discrimination is an important concept in classical and operant conditioning. It involves being able to distinguish between a specific stimulus and other similar ones. This can be important when it comes to learning since it means that an organism can respond when the correct stimulus is presented.

At a Glance

Stimulus discrimination is an important concept in classical and operant conditioning. It involves being able to distinguish between a specific stimulus and other similar ones. This can be important when it comes to learning since it means that an organism can respond when the correct stimulus is presented.

Classical conditioningis a type of learning that involves forming associations between two stimuli. In this process, discrimination is the ability to differentiate between aconditioned stimulusand other stimuli that have not been paired with anunconditioned stimulus.

For example, if a bell tone were the conditioned stimulus, discrimination would involve being able to tell the difference between the bell sound and other similar sounds.

How Classical Conditioning Works

Classical conditioning works like this:

In Ivan Pavlov’s classic experiments, the sound of a tone (a neutral stimulus that became a conditioned stimulus) was repeatedly paired with the presentation of food (unconditioned stimulus), which naturally and automatically led to a salivary response (unconditioned response).

Eventually, the dogs would salivate in response to the sound of the tone alone (a conditioned response to a conditioned stimulus).

How Stimulus Discrimination Works in Classical Conditioning

Now, imagine that Pavlov introduced a different sound to the experiment. Instead of presenting the sound of the tone, let’s imagine that he sounded a trumpet. What would happen?

If the dogs did not drool in response to the trumpet noise, it meant that they were able to discriminate between the sound of the tone and the similar stimulus. Not just any noise will produce a conditioned response. Because of stimulus discrimination, only a very particular sound will lead to a conditioned response.

RecapIn classical conditioning, stimulus discrimination helps learners respond to a specific stimulus and not to other similar stimuli.

Recap

In classical conditioning, stimulus discrimination helps learners respond to a specific stimulus and not to other similar stimuli.

Pavlov’s Dogs and the Discovery of Classical Conditioning

In one well-known experiment on classical conditioning, researchers paired the taste of meat (unconditioned stimulus) with the sight of a circle (conditioned stimulus), and dogs learned to salivate in response to the presentation of a circle. The researchers found, however, that the dogs would also salivate when they saw an ellipse, an oval shape.

Over time, as the dogs experienced more and more trials where they did not experience the taste of meat upon seeing the ellipse, they eventually became able to discriminate between the two similar stimuli. They would salivate in response to the circle, but not when they saw the ellipse.

Stimulus Discrimination in MarketingIn consumer behavior, marketers use stimulus discrimination to help consumers recognize their products as distinct from similar products. For example, the packaging on a certain brand of snack cookies might help buyers discriminate between multiple similar products.

Stimulus Discrimination in Marketing

In consumer behavior, marketers use stimulus discrimination to help consumers recognize their products as distinct from similar products. For example, the packaging on a certain brand of snack cookies might help buyers discriminate between multiple similar products.

Operant conditioningis a form of learning that relies onrewardsandpunishmentsto teach new behaviors.

In operant conditioning, stimulus discrimination refers to responding only to the discriminative stimulus and not to similar stimuli.

For example, imagine that you have trained your dog to jump in the air whenever you say the command, “Jump!” In this instance, discrimination refers to your dog’s ability to distinguish between the command for jumping and similar commands such as sit, stay, or speak.

Another example might be the type of behaviors that are appropriate in one situation but not in another. Because of stimulus discrimination, you recognize that eating with your hands with your elbows on the table might be appropriate in a casual, fast-food restaurant, but that such behavior would be considered inappropriate in a more formal dining setting.

Stimulus discrimination can be contrasted with a similar phenomenon known asstimulus generalization. In classical conditioning, for example, stimulus generalization would involve being unable to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and other similar stimuli.

In the famousLittle Albert experiment, ayoung boy was conditioned to fear a white rat, but he displayed the fear response upon the presentation of similar white, furry objects.

An example of stimulus discrimination would have been if the little boy in the experiment had distinguished between the white rat and other white, furry objects.

Summary

Stimulus discrimination plays an important role in the learning process. Being able to discriminate between stimuli allows you to respond to the correct stimuli without generalizing the response to other stimuli.

Stimulus discrimination also occurs in real life outside of experimental lab settings. Only ordering a dish at one restaurant because you know that other restaurants don’t offer that same menu item is an example of stimulus discrimination. Your cat being able to tell the difference between hearing you open a bag of chips and you opening a bag of cat treats is another example.

Taste Aversion and Classic Conditioning

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI.Classical Conditioning. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan.Plaud JJ.Pavlov and the foundation of behavior therapy.The Spanish Journal of Psychology. 2003;6(2):147-154. doi:10.1017/S1138741600005291Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Iowa.Discriminated Operant.Gonzalez-DeHass A, Willems PP.Theories in Educational Psychology: Concise Guide to Meaning and Practice. Lanham, MD: R&L Education; 2012.Halbur, Mary E et al.Stimulus control research and practice: Considerations of stimulus disparity and salience for discrimination training.Behavior analysis in practice. 2021;14(1):272-282. doi:10.1007/s40617-020-00509-9Herzog K, Andreatta M, Schneider K, et al.Reducing generalization of conditioned fear: beneficial impact of fear relevance and feedback in discrimination training.Front Psychol. 2021;12:665711. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665711American Psychological Association.Stimulus control. APA Dictionary of Psychology.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI.Classical Conditioning. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan.Plaud JJ.Pavlov and the foundation of behavior therapy.The Spanish Journal of Psychology. 2003;6(2):147-154. doi:10.1017/S1138741600005291Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Iowa.Discriminated Operant.Gonzalez-DeHass A, Willems PP.Theories in Educational Psychology: Concise Guide to Meaning and Practice. Lanham, MD: R&L Education; 2012.Halbur, Mary E et al.Stimulus control research and practice: Considerations of stimulus disparity and salience for discrimination training.Behavior analysis in practice. 2021;14(1):272-282. doi:10.1007/s40617-020-00509-9Herzog K, Andreatta M, Schneider K, et al.Reducing generalization of conditioned fear: beneficial impact of fear relevance and feedback in discrimination training.Front Psychol. 2021;12:665711. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665711American Psychological Association.Stimulus control. APA Dictionary of Psychology.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI.Classical Conditioning. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan.Plaud JJ.Pavlov and the foundation of behavior therapy.The Spanish Journal of Psychology. 2003;6(2):147-154. doi:10.1017/S1138741600005291Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Iowa.Discriminated Operant.Gonzalez-DeHass A, Willems PP.Theories in Educational Psychology: Concise Guide to Meaning and Practice. Lanham, MD: R&L Education; 2012.Halbur, Mary E et al.Stimulus control research and practice: Considerations of stimulus disparity and salience for discrimination training.Behavior analysis in practice. 2021;14(1):272-282. doi:10.1007/s40617-020-00509-9Herzog K, Andreatta M, Schneider K, et al.Reducing generalization of conditioned fear: beneficial impact of fear relevance and feedback in discrimination training.Front Psychol. 2021;12:665711. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665711American Psychological Association.Stimulus control. APA Dictionary of Psychology.

Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI.Classical Conditioning. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan.

Plaud JJ.Pavlov and the foundation of behavior therapy.The Spanish Journal of Psychology. 2003;6(2):147-154. doi:10.1017/S1138741600005291

Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Iowa.Discriminated Operant.

Gonzalez-DeHass A, Willems PP.Theories in Educational Psychology: Concise Guide to Meaning and Practice. Lanham, MD: R&L Education; 2012.

Halbur, Mary E et al.Stimulus control research and practice: Considerations of stimulus disparity and salience for discrimination training.Behavior analysis in practice. 2021;14(1):272-282. doi:10.1007/s40617-020-00509-9

Herzog K, Andreatta M, Schneider K, et al.Reducing generalization of conditioned fear: beneficial impact of fear relevance and feedback in discrimination training.Front Psychol. 2021;12:665711. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665711

American Psychological Association.Stimulus control. APA Dictionary of Psychology.

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