What defines stimulus control in behavior analysis?

Stimulus control in behavior analysis refers to the relationship between a behavior and the presence of specific stimuli that evoke that behavior. When a behavior is under stimulus control, it means that the occurrence of the behavior is influenced by certain antecedent stimuli or environmental cues.

The reasoning behind the choice that prompts are removed once the behavior is consistent aligns with the concept of stimulus control. Once a behavior has been established through prompting and reinforcement, it becomes more likely to be emitted in the presence of the relevant stimulus without the need for prompts. This indicates that the stimulus now controls the behavior, as the individual is able to engage in the behavior appropriately when the relevant stimuli are presented, demonstrating that learning has taken place.

In the context of the other options, the first choice suggests that prompts are always necessary, which contradicts the idea that stimulus control develops over time. The third and fourth options propose that the target behavior is unrelated to stimuli or that all behaviors occur without regard to stimuli, which does not align with the foundational principle of stimulus control, where specific stimuli do play a crucial role in eliciting behavior. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the significance of prompt removal as a marker of achieving consistent behavior in relation to stimuli.