ABA Exam CoachLessons · B. Concepts and Principles
B.12 · Spotting stimulus control
Why does a kid ask one adult for help and completely ignore another? It's not random, and it's not mood. It's stimulus control, and once you know the three things to look for, you'll start seeing it everywhere.
Key takeaway
Stimulus control means responding reliably differs when a particular antecedent stimulus is present versus absent, because of a history of differential consequences in those conditions. The SD doesn't force the behavior. It signals that reinforcement is available. To spot an example, check for a clear antecedent, a reliable difference in responding across conditions, and a history of different consequences. MOs and reflex-eliciting stimuli don't count.
Stimulus control means responding reliably differs when a particular antecedent stimulus is present versus absent, because of a history of differential consequences in those conditions. The SD doesn't force the behavior. It signals that reinforcement is available. To spot an example, check for a clear antecedent, a reliable difference in responding across conditions, and a history of different consequences. MOs and reflex-eliciting stimuli don't count.
Members get the full lesson video, notes and a 5-question test
The video walks through the idea, worked examples, the trap people fall into and an exam-style question. The notes and the checkpoint come with it, and your results feed your Where to focus plan.