B.13 Identify Examples of Stimulus Discrimination

Stimulus discrimination is the ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond appropriately to each one. This skill is essential for navigating everyday life, from recognizing social cues to understanding safety warnings.

Stimulus discrimination happens when a person or animal learns to respond to a specific stimulus while ignoring others, even if they are similar. It allows us to distinguish between right and wrong, safe and unsafe, or appropriate and inappropriate actions.

Examples of Stimulus Discrimination:

1. Children: A child calls their mother “mom” but doesn’t use that term for other women, even if they look similar.

2. Animals: A dog sits when hearing the command “sit” but ignores commands like “stay” or “lie down.”

3. Daily Life: A driver stops at a red light but proceeds at a green light, responding differently to each signal.

Stimulus Discrimination

• Helps children and adults make accurate decisions.

• Prevents confusion in situations that require specific responses, such as safety instructions.

• Supports learning new skills by focusing on the correct stimuli.

Stimulus discrimination forms the foundation for learning and behavior development. Clear and consistent reinforcement helps strengthen this skill when teaching children or training animals.