Which type of stimulus only prompts a response in specific conditions?

A discriminative stimulus is a specific type of stimulus that signals the availability of reinforcement or punishment contingent on a particular behavior. It prompts a response based on the conditions present in the environment, thus influencing whether a specific behavior will occur. For example, a musician may only play the piano when a particular individual is present, which represents a discriminative stimulus that influences their behavior.

This concept is pivotal in behavior analysis, where different stimuli can evoke different responses based on situational contexts. In contrast, reinforcing stimuli are those that increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring again, but they do not inherently restrict when a behavior can be triggered. Negative stimuli often refer to conditions that may lead to avoidance behaviors but do not offer the specific conditional cues that a discriminative stimulus does. Aversive stimuli are typically associated with discomfort or pain, prompting avoidance rather than specific responsive actions under particular conditions.

Understanding the role of a discriminative stimulus is essential because it highlights how the environment can shape behavior through specific cues, thereby facilitating targeted responses in various therapeutic settings, including music therapy.