Abstract
The delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS) procedure enhances equivalence class formation when compared to the simultaneous matching-to-sample (SMTS). However, studies have shown different outcomes for classes reorganization. In this study, we investigated the effects of DMTS and SMTS for reorganizing classes that were initially established using DMTS. Twenty undergraduate students learned conditional discriminations AB, AC, and AD using a DMTS (2s). After this training, equivalence test trials assessed the formation of two classes (A1B1C1D1; A2B2C2D2). Participants were then assigned to two groups, DMTS Group and SMTS Group. All participants performed a reversed AD training (A1D2; A2D1) and a baseline review containing AB, AC and reversed AD trials, but under different MTS procedures according to their respective groups. Eight participants in DMTS group and seven in SMTS group reorganized the classes (A1B1C1D2; A2B2C2D1). The percentage of correct responses in the reorganization tests was not significantly different between groups. Procedural features were examined to explain why DMTS improves class formation but not class reorganization.
Data Availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).
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Acknowledgements
We thank Ramon Marin and Alceu Regaço for their careful reading and valuable suggestions for the manuscript.
Funding
This research is part of the scientific program of Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia sobre Comportamento Cognição e Ensino (INCT-ECCE), supported by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP: Grant #2014/50909-8), by the Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq: grant #465686/2014-1), and by Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES: grant #88887.136407/2017-00). G. W. Ribeiro holds a doctoral scholarship from FAPESP (grant #2017/25786-8). D. G. de Souza have a Research Productivity Grant from CNPq.
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Ribeiro, G.W., de Souza, D.G. The Effects of Delayed versus Simultaneous Matching-to-Sample on Equivalence Classes Reorganization. Psychol Rec 73, 133–137 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-022-00523-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-022-00523-z