In operant conditioning, what is the term for the cue that indicates that a behavior will be reinforced?

In operant conditioning, the term that refers to the cue signaling that a specific behavior will be reinforced is known as a discriminative stimulus. This concept is crucial because it helps organisms understand the conditions under which a particular behavior will lead to a specific outcome, such as a reward. For example, if a rat learns that pressing a lever results in food only when a light is on, the light serves as the discriminative stimulus indicating that pressing the lever is likely to be reinforced at that time.

The concept of discriminative stimulus emphasizes the importance of context in behavior: it not only focuses on the behavior itself but also on the cues that signal the availability of reinforcement, allowing individuals to adapt their actions based on previous experiences. This understanding aids in shaping behavior by reinforcing appropriate responses in the presence of specific stimuli.