Stimulus Role
Contents
Definition
The role of a stimulus in a behavioral experiment is attributed to the object(s) which are presented to the subject in a controlled manner in the context of the experiment.
Definition Source
JT and AL
Synonyms
Parent Entity
BFO: Role
Example
In an auditory oddball experiment, tones are the stimuli, which are categorized as either non-target (low frequency) or target (high-frequency) tones. The distinction of whether the stimulus is a target or non-target is qualified by the stimulus role.
Logical Restrictions
Comments
Not all stimuli have more specific roles than just being the stimulus; in these cases, the stimulus is simply a generic stimulus. A stimulus may also have experiment-specific import to the subject, as reflected in playing the role of a reward or feedback.
We define a stimulus as a role so that ontologies of tones, lights, pictures, and other "things" can be imported as references to the objects which play the role of stimulus in a given experimental condition.
Created Date
2009/11/12
Curator
JT and AL
Curation Status
pending final vetting
URI
Sub-Classes
{{#ask: Parent Entity::Stimulus Role |format=table }}
