Which term is a complex example of stimulus control that requires stimulus generalization within a class of stimuli and discrimination between classes of stimuli?

• A. Concept Formation
• B. Visual Analysis
• C. DRO
• D. Escape Extinction

Answer: (A)

Forming concepts is a sophisticated way stimulus control works, because it requires the learner to extract a rule that applies to many exemplars within a class and to distinguish that class from other classes. In concept formation, the student learns to respond to all items that belong to a category (generalization within the class) while not responding to items outside that category (discrimination between classes). For example, if the concept is “edible fruit,” the learner should identify new fruits they haven’t seen before (generalization within the class) and ignore non-fruit items like rocks or toys (discrimination between classes). This combination of applying a rule across many stimuli and separating different classes is what makes concept formation a complex example of stimulus control.

The other terms don’t capture that dual demand. Visual Analysis is about inspecting data patterns to interpret behavior, not about controlling responses across classes of stimuli. DRO (differential reinforcement of other behavior) and Escape Extinction are procedures focused on reinforcement and extinction processes for behavior, not on forming category-based stimulus control across multiple exemplars.