Operant stimulus control has been achieved when a response occurs more frequently in the presence of a specific stimulus but rarely occurs in the absence of that stimulus.

• A. More frequently in presence and rarely in absence
• B. More frequently in the absence and rarely in presence
• C. Never occurs
• D. Occur at the same rate

Answer: (A)

Operant stimulus control is when a response is more likely to occur in the presence of a specific stimulus and much less likely when that stimulus is absent. The presence of the stimulus signals that reinforcement is available for the response, so the behavior increases. In the absence of the stimulus, reinforcement is unlikely, so the behavior decreases. The statement describes exactly that pattern: the response rises with the stimulus and remains rare without it, showing the response is under the cue’s control. If the response were more likely without the cue, or never occurred, or occurred at the same rate regardless of the cue, there would be little to no stimulus control.