Question

You are taking a class from a dynamic instructor. However, the class meets after lunch when you tend to be drowsy, and try as you might, you just can't keep from occasionally nodding off during class. One morning, you run into your instructor on your way into school and stifle a yawn upon seeing him. Your instructor serves as...

a) A conditioned stimulus
b) A discriminative stimulus
c) A positive reinforcer
d) A negative reinforcer

Answer 1

The instructor functions as a discriminative stimulus, signaling to the student that alertness will have positive consequences during class.

Step-by-step explanation:

The instructor in the scenario serves as a discriminative stimulus, which in the context of operant conditioning, is a stimulus that indicates that a specific response will lead to a particular outcome.

In this case, the instructor is present when the student needs to be alert and attentive during class, signaling that staying awake is likely to lead to a positive educational outcome. Therefore, the correct answer is: b) A discriminative stimulus.