title: Enhanced equivalence class formation by the delay and relational functions of meaningful stimuli.
abstract: Undergraduates in six groups of 10 attempted to form three 3-node 5-member equivalence classes (A → B → C → D → E) under the simultaneous protocol. In five of six groups, all stimuli were abstract shapes; in the PIC group, C stimuli were pictures with the remainder being abstract shapes. Before class formation, participants in the Identity-S and Identity-D groups were given preliminary training to form identity conditional discriminations with the C stimuli using simultaneous and 6 s delayed matching-to-sample procedures, respectively. In the Arbitrary-S and Arbitrary-D groups, before class formation, arbitrary conditional discriminations were formed between C and X stimuli using simultaneous and 6 s delayed matching-to-sample procedures, respectively. With no preliminary training, classes in the PIC and ABS groups were formed by 80% and 0% of participants, respectively. After preliminary training, class formation (yield) increased with delay, regardless of relational type. For each of the two delays, yield was slightly greater after forming arbitrary- instead of identity-relations. Yield was greatest, however, when a class contained a meaningful stimulus (PIC). During failed class formation, probes produced experimenter-defined relations, participant-defined relations, and unsystematic responding; delay, but not the relation type in preliminary training influenced relational and indeterminate responding. These results suggest how meaningful stimuli enhance equivalence class formation.
authors.affiliation: Oslo and Akershus University College.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arntzen
authors.affiliation: Oslo and Akershus University College.
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Nartey
authors.affiliation: Queens College and The Graduate School of the City University of New York.
authors.forename: Lanny
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fields
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001245:Association Learning; D003210:Concept Formation; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: arbitrary conditional relations; college students; concurrent; delayed matching to sample; enhanced class formation; identity conditional relations; linear series training structure; simultaneous protocol; stimulus equivalence