BA525 Unit 7
The Role Stimulus Control, Motivation and Choice in Establishing and Changing Behavior
As noted by Cowie et al. (2024), research has demonstrated that each part of the three term contingency (antecedent stimuli-behavior-consequence) plays an important role in the development of stimulus control. The role of motivation is closely related because motivation influences the effects of both antecedent stimuli and consequences on the behavior. In this discussion, you will consider that relationship.
- First, define stimulus control and explain how it is achieved. Provide an example from your own or a client’s experience to support your explanation.
- Next, discuss the research based determinants of stimulus control and explain the circumstances under which stimulus control can be termed as ‘faulty’ or leading to undesired behavior.
- Then define motivation and the research base for understanding conditioned motivating operations.
- Finally, explain how motivating operations might change the influence of an antecedent stimulus or the value of a consequence in the three term contingency. In your explanation, consider the role of The Matching Law in making choices. Complete your discussion with an example, from a client’s or your own experience, to illustrate this relationship.
- Be sure that you are using your course readings throughout to support your analysis
Review two of your classmates’ responses, using the following ideas as a guide:
- Is the definition of stimulus control clearly articulated, and is the explanation of how it is achieved thorough and accurate?
- Are the research-based determinants of stimulus control and the conditions leading to ‘faulty’ stimulus control thoroughly discussed and supported by course readings?
- Does the explanation of conditioned motivating operations and their influence on antecedents and consequences effectively integrate research findings?
- Does the example provided effectively demonstrate the relationship between motivating operations, stimulus control, and choice-making?
- Ask at least one thoughtful follow-up question.