Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1997 Jul;68(1):67–91. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1997.68-67

Predicting the extension of equivalence classes from primary generalization gradients: the merger of equivalence classes and perceptual classes.

L Fields 1, K F Reeve 1, B J Adams 1, J L Brown 1, T Verhave 1
PMCID: PMC1284616  PMID: 9241863

Abstract

In Experiment 1, 6 college students were given generalization tests using 25 line lengths as samples with a long line, a short line, and a "neither" option as comparisons. The neither option was to be used if a sample did not go with the other comparisons. Then, four-member equivalence classes were formed. Class 1 included three nonsense words and the short line. Class 2 included three other nonsense words and the long line. After repeating the generalization test for line length, additional tests were conducted using members of the equivalence classes (i.e., nonsense words and lines) as comparisons and intermediate-length lines as samples. All Class 2 comparisons were selected in the presence of the test lines that also evoked the selection of the long line in the generalization test that had been given before equivalence class formation. Class 1 yielded complementary findings. Thus, the preclass primary generalization gradient predicted which test lines acted as members of each equivalence class. Regardless of using comparisons that were nonsense words or lines, the post-class-formation gradients overlapped, showing the substitutability of class members. Experiment 2 assessed the discriminability of the intermediate-length test lines from the Class 1 (shortest) and Class 2 (longest) lines. The test lines that functioned as members of an equivalence class were discriminable from the line that was a member of the same class by training. Thus, these test lines also acted as members of a dimensionally defined class of "long" or "short" lines. Extension of an equivalence class, then, involved its merger with a dimensionally defined class, which converted a close-ended class to an open-ended class. These data suggest a means of predicting class membership in naturally occurring categories.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (430.0 KB).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Barnes D., Keenan M. A transfer of functions through derived arbitrary and nonarbitrary stimulus relations. J Exp Anal Behav. 1993 Jan;59(1):61–81. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1993.59-61. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Blough P. M. The visual acuity of the pigeon for distant targets. J Exp Anal Behav. 1971 Jan;15(1):57–67. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1971.15-57. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bush K. M., Sidman M., de Rose T. Contextual control of emergent equivalence relations. J Exp Anal Behav. 1989 Jan;51(1):29–45. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1989.51-29. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Cheng K., Spetch M. L. Stimulus control in the use of landmarks by pigeons in a touch-screen task. J Exp Anal Behav. 1995 Mar;63(2):187–201. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1995.63-187. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Cowley B. J., Green G., Braunling-McMorrow D. Using stimulus equivalence procedures to teach name-face matching to adults with brain injuries. J Appl Behav Anal. 1992 Summer;25(2):461–475. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-461. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. DeGrandpre R. J., Bickel W. K., Higgins S. T. Emergent equivalence relations between interoceptive (drug) and exteroceptive (visual) stimuli. J Exp Anal Behav. 1992 Jul;58(1):9–18. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1992.58-9. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Fields L., Adams B. J., Newman S., Verhave T. Interactions among emergent relations during equivalence class formation. Q J Exp Psychol B. 1992 Aug;45(2):125–138. doi: 10.1080/14640749208401013. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Fields L., Adams B. J., Verhave T., Newman S. The effects of nodality on the formation of equivalence classes. J Exp Anal Behav. 1990 May;53(3):345–358. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1990.53-345. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Fields L., Landon-Jimenez D. V., Buffington D. M., Adams B. J. Maintained nodal-distance effects in equivalence classes. J Exp Anal Behav. 1995 Sep;64(2):129–145. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1995.64-129. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Fields L., Reeve K. F., Adams B. J., Verhave T. Stimulus generalization and equivalence classes: a model for natural categories. J Exp Anal Behav. 1991 May;55(3):305–312. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1991.55-305. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Fields L., Verhave T., Fath S. Stimulus equivalence and transitive associations: A methodological analysis. J Exp Anal Behav. 1984 Jul;42(1):143–157. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1984.42-143. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Fields L., Verhave T. The structure of equivalence classes. J Exp Anal Behav. 1987 Sep;48(2):317–332. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1987.48-317. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. GUTTMAN N., KALISH H. I. Discriminability and stimulus generalization. J Exp Psychol. 1956 Jan;51(1):79–88. doi: 10.1037/h0046219. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Gelman S. A., Markman E. M. Categories and induction in young children. Cognition. 1986 Aug;23(3):183–209. doi: 10.1016/0010-0277(86)90034-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Gelman S. A., Markman E. M. Young children's inductions from natural kinds: the role of categories and appearances. Child Dev. 1987 Dec;58(6):1532–1541. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Gelman S. A. The development of induction within natural kind and artifact categories. Cogn Psychol. 1988 Jan;20(1):65–95. doi: 10.1016/0010-0285(88)90025-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. HANSON H. M. Effects of discrimination training on stimulus generalization. J Exp Psychol. 1959 Nov;58:321–334. doi: 10.1037/h0042606. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Haring T. G., Breen C. G., Laitinen R. E. Stimulus class formation and concept learning: establishment of within- and between-set generalization and transitive relationships via conditional discrimination procedures. J Exp Anal Behav. 1989 Jul;52(1):13–25. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1989.52-13. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Hayes S. C., Kohlenberg B. S., Hayes L. J. The transfer of specific and general consequential functions through simple and conditional equivalence relations. J Exp Anal Behav. 1991 Jul;56(1):119–137. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1991.56-119. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Herrnstein R. J. Levels of stimulus control: a functional approach. Cognition. 1990 Nov;37(1-2):133–166. doi: 10.1016/0010-0277(90)90021-b. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Honig W. K., Urcuioli P. J. The legacy of Guttman and Kalish (1956): Twenty-five years of research on stimulus generalization. J Exp Anal Behav. 1981 Nov;36(3):405–445. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.36-405. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Lynch D. C., Cuvo A. J. Stimulus equivalence instruction of fraction-decimal relations. J Appl Behav Anal. 1995 Summer;28(2):115–126. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1995.28-115. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Lynch D. C., Green G. Development and crossmodal transfer of contextual control of emergent stimulus relations. J Exp Anal Behav. 1991 Jul;56(1):139–154. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1991.56-139. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. MISHKIN M., WEISKRANTZ L. Effects of cortical lesions in monkeys on critical flicker frequency. J Comp Physiol Psychol. 1959 Dec;52:660–666. doi: 10.1037/h0038577. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. McIlvane W. J., Stoddard T. Acquisition of matching - to - sample performances in severe retardation: learning by exclusion. J Ment Defic Res. 1981 Mar;25(Pt 1):33–48. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.1981.tb00091.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Pilgrim C., Chambers L., Galizio M. Reversal of baseline relations and stimulus equivalence: II. Children. J Exp Anal Behav. 1995 May;63(3):239–254. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1995.63-239. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Pilgrim C., Galizio M. Relations between baseline contingencies and equivalence probe performances. J Exp Anal Behav. 1990 Nov;54(3):213–224. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1990.54-213. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Pilgrim C., Galizio M. Reversal of baseline relations and stimulus equivalence: I. Adults. J Exp Anal Behav. 1995 May;63(3):225–238. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1995.63-225. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Saunders R. R., Saunders K. J., Kirby K. C., Spradlin J. E. The merger and development of equivalence classes by unreinforced conditional selection of comparison stimuli. J Exp Anal Behav. 1988 Sep;50(2):145–162. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1988.50-145. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Saunders R. R., Saunders K. J., Spradlin J. E. Long-term stability of equivalence relations in the absence of training or practice. Am J Ment Retard. 1990 Nov;95(3):297–303. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Sidman M., Kirk B., Willson-Morris M. Six-member stimulus classes generated by conditional-discrimination procedures. J Exp Anal Behav. 1985 Jan;43(1):21–42. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1985.43-21. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Sidman M., Tailby W. Conditional discrimination vs. matching to sample: an expansion of the testing paradigm. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 Jan;37(1):5–22. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.37-5. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Spradlin J. E., Dixon M. H. Establishing conditional discriminations without direct training: stimulus classes and labels. Am J Ment Defic. 1976 Mar;80(5):555–561. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Stromer R., Mackay H. A., Howell S. R., McVay A. A., Flusser D. Teaching computer-based spelling to individuals with developmental and hearing disabilities: transfer of stimulus control to writing tasks. J Appl Behav Anal. 1996 Spring;29(1):25–42. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1996.29-25. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Stromer R., Mackay H. A., Remington B. Naming, the formation of stimulus classes, and applied behavior analysis. J Appl Behav Anal. 1996 Fall;29(3):409–431. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1996.29-409. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Urcuioli P. J., Nevin J. A. Transfer of hue matching in pigeons. J Exp Anal Behav. 1975 Sep;24(2):149–155. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1975.24-149. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Wright A. A., Cook R. G., Kendrick D. F. Relational and absolute stimulus learning by monkeys in a memory task. J Exp Anal Behav. 1989 Nov;52(3):237–248. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1989.52-237. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Wright A. A., Cumming W. W. Color-naming functions for the pigeon. J Exp Anal Behav. 1971 Jan;15(1):7–17. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1971.15-7. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Wright A. A. The influence of ultraviolet radiation on the pigeon's color discrimination. J Exp Anal Behav. 1972 May;17(3):325–337. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1972.17-325. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Wulfert E., Hayes S. C. Transfer of a conditional ordering response through conditional equivalence classes. J Exp Anal Behav. 1988 Sep;50(2):125–144. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1988.50-125. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. de Rose J. C., McIlvane W. J., Dube W. V., Galpin V. C., Stoddard L. T. Emergent simple discrimination established by indirect relation to differential consequences. J Exp Anal Behav. 1988 Jul;50(1):1–20. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1988.50-1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior are provided here courtesy of Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

RESOURCES