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Introduction to Discrimination Training

7 important questions on Introduction to Discrimination Training

What is discrimination training?

Discrimination training is the process of reinforcing a target response only when the target antecedent, or SD, is present. Within discrimination training we teach the learner to tell the difference between different instructions/SDs and thus reinforce the individual for responding correctly to multiple instructions.

What is discrimination training used for?

Discrimination training is used to teach the learner the salient differences between two or more instructions or stimuli.

What is the acquisition item/target?

The item we are currently trying to teach. Acquisition target is used to describe the SD-response relationship that is currently being taught. A response or SD/instruction that the individual is currently learning is said to be "on acquisition".

What is a distractor item?

Distractor items are additional items, that are not targets, used in discrimination training procedures to teach the learner to discriminate. Distractor items can be known or unknown by the learner.

What is Mass Trial?

Mass Trial is when you present the same SD several times in a row. It is the repeated presentation of one SD/instruction across multiple consecutive trials. In other words, it gives the learner numerous opportunities to practice giving a correct response. It is often used to introduce a new skill within errorless learning procedures.

What is a Distractor Trial?

Distractor Trials are additional trials, that do not target the acquisition target (i.e., item being learned), used to teach discrimination. Distractor Trials are trials of previously learned or mastered targets interspersed with trials of the acquisition target to teach the learner to discriminate.