Final answer:
Hunger is not a discriminative stimulus but an internal physiological drive that is regulated by a negative feedback loop, responding to signals of fullness in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is hunger a discriminative stimulus? The answer is False. A discriminative stimulus is a term used in operant conditioning to denote a stimulus in the presence of which a particular response will be reinforced. Hunger, however, is a physiological signal that the body needs nutrients.
It is regulated by a negative feedback loop, wherein the stimulus (hunger) changes direction in response to a signal (fullness). The brain signals when the stomach is full, indicating satiety, which consequently reduces hunger. Therefore, hunger is an internal drive rather than a discriminative stimulus.
Hunger is a discriminative stimulus. A discriminative stimulus is a cue that signals the availability of a particular consequence or reward. In the case of hunger, it is a stimulus that signals the availability of food or the need for nourishment.