Abstract
After children in Experiments 1 and 2 learned identity matching or oddity, control by sample-comparison relations was assessed. Tests for generalized control displayed novel samples and two comparison stimuli, one identical to the sample. Specific relations were tested with identical or nonidentical sample-comparison stimuli from one set of stimuli and substitute comparisons from either the other training set or from a novel set. When tests displayed identical stimuli, patterns of comparison selection suggested control by generalized identity and oddity. However, selection patterns varied when stimuli were nonidentical and familiar or novel substitute comparisons were used. Therefore, control by specific relations is not a precondition for generalized identity and oddity. One set of training stimuli was used in Experiment 3, and generalized performances occurred again. Moreover, control by specific relations was shown by the oddity subjects and 2 of 6 identity subjects. Generalized and specific control may therefore exist simultaneously. In Experiment 4, selections were irregular on tests displaying substitute comparisons and samples and familiar comparison stimuli; this finding supported the relational account of specific sample-comparison control found in Experiment 3.
Full text
PDF

















Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Berryman R., Cumming W. W., Cohen L. R., Johnson D. F. Acquisition and transfer of simultaneous oddity. Psychol Rep. 1965 Dec;17(3):767–775. doi: 10.2466/pr0.1965.17.3.767. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CUMMING W. W., BERRYMAN R. Some data on matching behavior in the pigeon. J Exp Anal Behav. 1961 Jul;4:281–284. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1961.4-281. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Carter D. E., Werner T. J. Complex learning and information processing by pigeons: a critical analysis. J Exp Anal Behav. 1978 May;29(3):565–601. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1978.29-565. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dixon M. H., Dixon L. S. The nature of standard control in children's matching-to-sample. J Exp Anal Behav. 1978 Sep;30(2):205–212. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1978.30-205. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Holmes P. W. Transfer of matching performance in pigeons. J Exp Anal Behav. 1979 Jan;31(1):103–114. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1979.31-103. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McIlvane W. J., Munson L. C., Stoddard L. T. Some observations on control by spoken words in children's conditional discrimination and matching by exclusion. J Exp Child Psychol. 1988 Jun;45(3):472–495. doi: 10.1016/0022-0965(88)90043-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stoddard L. T. An observation on stimulus control in a tilt discrimination by children. J Exp Anal Behav. 1968 May;11(3):321–324. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1968.11-321. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stoddard L. T., Sidman M. The removal and restoration of stimulus control. J Exp Anal Behav. 1971 Sep;16(2):143–154. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1971.16-143. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stokes T. F., Baer D. M. An implicit technology of generalization. J Appl Behav Anal. 1977 Summer;10(2):349–367. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-349. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stromer R., Osborne J. G. Control of adolescents' arbitrary matching-to-sample by positive and negative stimulus relations. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 May;37(3):329–348. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.37-329. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 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]
- Urcuioli P. J. Transfer of oddity-from-sample performance in pigeons. J Exp Anal Behav. 1977 Jan;27(1):195–202. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1977.27-195. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]