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Derived Avoidance Learning: Transformation of Avoidance Response Functions in Accordance with Same and Opposite Relational Frames

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Abstract

Two experiments were designed to replicate and extend previous findings on the transformation of avoidance response functions in accordance with the relational frames of Same and Opposite. Participants were first exposed to nonarbitrary and arbitrary relational training and testing. Next, during avoidance conditioning, one stimulus from the relational network signaled a simple avoidance response that cancelled a scheduled presentation of an aversive image and sound. The majority of participants who met the criteria for conditioned avoidance also demonstrated derived avoidance. Experiment 1 showed that detailed instructions were not necessary for derived transformation to occur. Experiment 2 showed that more complex patterns of transformation may emerge when another stimulus from the relational network signaled the avoidance response. Implications for understanding clinically significant avoidance behavior are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK

    Simon Dymond

  2. National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland

    Bryan Roche

  3. University at Albany, State University of New York, USA

    John P. Forsyth

  4. University College Dublin, Ireland

    Robert Whelan

  5. Swansea University, UK

    Julia Rhoden

Authors
  1. Simon Dymond
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  2. Bryan Roche
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  3. John P. Forsyth
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  4. Robert Whelan
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  5. Julia Rhoden
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Simon Dymond.

Additional information

Some of the material from this article was submitted as part of Julia Rhoden’s master’s degree at the Swansea University, conducted under the supervision of Simon Dymond. We thank Jordan Randell for assistance with data collection and Chris Ninness and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments.

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Dymond, S., Roche, B., Forsyth, J.P. et al. Derived Avoidance Learning: Transformation of Avoidance Response Functions in Accordance with Same and Opposite Relational Frames. Psychol Rec 58, 269–286 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395615

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