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The Effects of Test Order and Nodal Distance on the Emergence and Stability of Derived Discriminative Stimulus Functions

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Abstract

The present study examined the effects of equivalence test order and nodal distance on the emergence and stability of derived discriminative stimulus functions. Participants in 1 group were exposed to a transfer of functions test following a symmetry and equivalence test, another group of participants completed a symmetry and equivalence test following a transfer test, and a final group of participants received a symmetry test only if they failed to demonstrate immediate transfer, after which time they were retested. At least 1 month following their initial laboratory experience, all participants who had demonstrated the transfer of functions were contacted and asked to return to the laboratory for a follow-up transfer test. Results showed that a prior equivalence test was not necessary for the transfer of functions, although a symmetry test may have facilitated transfer for some participants. A nodal distance effect for the stability of the derived stimulus functions was observed during the follow-up transfer test.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Services Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901-4609, USA

    Ruth Anne Rehfeldt Ph.D.

  2. APU, Cambridge, UK

    Simon Dymond

Authors
  1. Ruth Anne Rehfeldt Ph.D.
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  2. Simon Dymond
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Correspondence to Ruth Anne Rehfeldt Ph.D..

Additional information

We thank Erik Arntzen and Lanny Fields for helpful suggestions on an earlier version. We also thank Kim Zlomke for assistance with subject running and Eamon Strain for statistical advice.

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Rehfeldt, R.A., Dymond, S. The Effects of Test Order and Nodal Distance on the Emergence and Stability of Derived Discriminative Stimulus Functions. Psychol Rec 55, 179–196 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395505

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