title: Contextual control of equivalence-based transformation of functions.
abstract: The transformation of functions refers to the untrained acquisition of stimulus functions among members of stimulus equivalence classes or relational frames. Although it is widely assumed that contextual control over the transformation of fuctions must exist, this has not yet been conclusively demonstrated in laboratory studies. Four experiments are reported in which (a) stimulus equivalence classes were established, (b) a conditional stimulus function was trained for one member of each of the classes, and (c) multiple-exemplar procedures were used to train and test for contextual control over the transformation of the stimulus function within the classes and to assess whether it generalized to new equivalence classes. Although a significant amount of training was required, the procedures ultimately resulted in the contextual control of function transformation for 9 of 10 participants and generalized contextual control for 4 of 5 participants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA. dougher@unm.edu
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dougher
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greenway
authors.forename: Ashton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koons
authors.forename: Carmenne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiasson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003118:Color Perception; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D005795:Generalization, Stimulus; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012691:Serial Learning; D014163:Transfer, Psychology