Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test

Which term refers to a stimulus that signals the availability of reinforcement?

1. Discriminative Stimulus

2. Unconditioned Punisher

3. Abolishing Operation

4. Conditioned Punisher

The correct answer is: Discriminative Stimulus

The term that refers to a stimulus signaling the availability of reinforcement is known as a discriminative stimulus. In the context of behavior analysis, a discriminative stimulus is an environmental cue that indicates that a particular behavior will result in a specific outcome, such as reinforcement. For instance, if a light turns on indicating that pressing a button will result in getting food, the light serves as a discriminative stimulus. It does not guarantee that reinforcement will occur every time the behavior is performed but signals the opportunity for it based on the presence of the stimulus. The other options pertain to different concepts within behavior analysis. An unconditioned punisher refers to a stimulus that naturally reduces the frequency of a behavior without prior learning, while a conditioned punisher requires learning history to affect behavior. An abolishing operation is a motivative operation that decreases the effectiveness of a reinforcer. These terms do not fulfill the specific role of indicating the existence of reinforcement like a discriminative stimulus does.