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Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE

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Published on: May 14, 2019

Defining terms in behavior analysis: Reinforcer and discriminative stimulus.

H D Schlinger, E Blakely, J Fillhard

The Analysis of Verbal Behavior

|April 6, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Behavioral definitions of reinforcer and discriminative stimulus lack consistent temporal proximity requirements. A survey revealed experts disagree on these definitions, especially for verbal human behavior.

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Area of Science:

Behavioral Psychology
Animal Behavior
Human Behavior

Background:

Standard definitions of reinforcer and discriminative stimulus often require temporal proximity.
This temporal proximity requirement is not universally applied in behavioral literature.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate expert consensus on temporal parameters in definitions of reinforcer and discriminative stimulus.
To highlight the need for clearer definitions in behavioral science.

Main Methods:

A questionnaire was distributed to editorial board members of behavioral journals.
Survey data was analyzed to assess agreement on temporal definitions.

Main Results:

Evidence indicates a lack of universal agreement among experts regarding temporal parameters.
Disagreement is particularly pronounced when applying these terms to verbal human behavior.

Conclusions:

The ambiguity in definitions of reinforcer and discriminative stimulus requires attention and resolution.
Behavior analysts should exercise caution when generalizing findings from nonhuman to human behavior due to complex verbal repertoires.