What Does Studying Occasion Setting Mean? Commentary on Leising et al. (2025) “Are You Studying Occasion Setting? A Review for Inquiring Minds”

Juan M. Rosas

University of Jaén

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Abstract

The term occasion setter has been used in behavioral research to describe a procedure, a phenomenon, and an associative explanatory mechanism, referring to hierarchical stimulus representations where one stimulus modulates another’s relationship with an outcome. Leising et al. highlight the conditions and behavioral effects of occasion setting while applying four key tests to explore underlying associative mechanisms. However, researchers unfamiliar with associative learning may be inadvertently confused about the appropriate use of the term. Addressing this issue, this commentary underscores the need for clarity in defining what studying occasion setting means within specific research contexts. Explicitly distinguishing between its procedural, phenomenological, and mechanistic applications will help ensure consistent interpretation and communication across studies, fostering a more precise understanding of occasion setting in behavioral science.

Keywords: contextual control, stimulus control, occasion setting

Author Note: Juan M. Rosas, Department of Psychology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Juan M. Rosas at jmrosas@ujaen.es.