What signals the availability of reinforcement for a specific response due to a past history of reinforcement?

The correct choice is the discriminative stimulus. This term refers to a specific stimulus that indicates the availability of reinforcement for a particular behavior based on past experiences. When an individual learns that a certain response is likely to result in a rewarding outcome when a specific stimulus is present, that stimulus becomes a cue for them to engage in that behavior.

In operant conditioning, the presence of a discriminative stimulus signals that the particular behavior will be reinforced. This is fundamental in shaping behaviors, as it helps to establish clear patterns of when reinforcement will occur.

Understanding the role of a discriminative stimulus is key in behavioral analysis because it underlies the discriminative control of behavior. For example, if a child receives praise for saying "please" when asking for something in front of their parents, the verbal request can become a discriminative stimulus; the child learns that saying "please" increases the likelihood of receiving a favor from their parents.

In contrast, a generalized reinforcer refers to a type of reinforcer that has been paired with multiple forms of reinforcement but does not imply the conditions under which certain behaviors will receive that reinforcement. An aversive stimulus typically serves to decrease behavior rather than signal reinforcement. Operant behavior is the actual action taken by the individual