title: Transformations of mathematical and stimulus functions.
abstract: Following a pretest, 8 participants who were unfamiliar with algebraic and trigonometric functions received a brief presentation on the rectangular coordinate system. Next, they participated in a computer-interactive matching-to-sample procedure that trained formula-to-formula and formula-to-graph relations. Then, they were exposed to 40 novel formula-to-graph tests and 10 novel graph-to-formula tests. Seven of the 8 participants showed substantial improvement in identifying formula-to-graph relations; however, in the test of novel graph-to-formula relations, participants tended to select equations in their factored form. Next, we manipulated contextual cues in the form of rules regarding mathematical preferences. First, we informed participants that standard forms of equations were preferred over factored forms. In a subsequent test of 10 additional novel graph-to-formula relations, participants shifted their selections to favor equations in their standard form. This preference reversed during 10 more tests when financial reward was made contingent on correct identification of formulas in factored form. Formula preferences and transformation of novel mathematical and stimulus functions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School & Behavioral Psychology Program, Stephen F Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962, USA. cninness@sfasu.edu
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ninness
authors.forename: Dermot
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barnes-Holmes
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rumph
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCuller
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Sharon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ninness
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Marc P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D012984:Software