Abstract
Variation in baseline controlling relations is suggested as one of the factors determining variability in stimulus equivalence outcomes. This study used single-comparison trials attempting to control such controlling relations. Four children learned AB, BC, and CD conditional discriminations, with 2 samples and 2 comparison stimuli. In Condition A, a mask always covered the S+ or the S−, each in 50% of the training trials, ensuring both sample-S+ and sample-S−controlling relations. In subsequent tests, children showed immediate equivalence formation. Condition B trained the same sequence of conditional discriminations with different stimuli, attempting to prevent sample-S+ control in the BC conditional discrimination. Two children did not show equivalence, whereas the other 2 did. Probes suggested that children who formed equivalence in Condition B acquired sample-S+ relations, even with training designed to prevent them. Results indicate that acquisition of both sample-S+ and sample-S− relations increases the probability of immediate equivalence formation.
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Data collection was supported by the State of São Paulo Foundation for Research Support (FAPESP, Grant 2003/09928-4). Preparation of the manuscript was supported by the Brazilian National Research Council (Grant 573972/2008-7) and FAPESP (Grant 08/57705-8), both for the National Institute of Research and Technology on Behavior, Cognition and Teaching (Chairperson: Deisy G. de Souza). The first author has a Research Productivity Grant from CNPq, and the second author had an undergraduate Science Initiation Grant from CNPq.
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de Rose, J.C., Hidalgo, M. & Vasconcellos, M. Controlling Relations in Baseline Conditional Discriminations as Determinants of Stimulus Equivalence. Psychol Rec 63, 85–98 (2013). https://doi.org/10.11133/j.tpr.2013.63.1.007
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.11133/j.tpr.2013.63.1.007