Transfer of respondent functions from go/no-go procedure with compound stimuli

• Grant number: 12/05836-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Experimental Psychology
• Principal researcher: Paula Debert
• Grantee: Guilherme Towata Sato
• Home Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/57705-8 - Institute for the Study of Behavior, Cognition and Teaching, AP.TEM

Abstract

The transfer of respondent function was observed in the standard matching-to-sample procedure with unitary stimuli and compound stimuli, after the establishment of equivalence classes. The aim of the present study is to verify the transfer of respondent function with the go/no-go procedure with compound stimuli. Six undergraduate students will participate in this study. The procedure will be composed by five phases: Conditional Relations Train, Symmetry Test, Transitivity and Equivalence Test, Respondent Conditioning, Transfer of Respondent Function Test. During training, responses to compounds A1B1, A2B2, A1C1 and A2C2 will be followed by reinforcing consequences. Responses to compounds A1B2, A2B1, A1C2 and A2C1 will not be followed by reinforcing consequences. In Symmetry Test, compounds BA and CA will be presented. In Transitivity and Equivalence Test, compounds BC and CB will be presented. The establishment of two equivalence classes (A1B1C1 and A2B2C2) will be evaluated during these tests. During the Respondent Conditioning Phase, stimulus B1 (CS+) presentations will be followed by a high pitch (US), while stimulus B2 (CS-) presentations will be followed by ITI. In this phase, skin conductance response (SCR) will be measured by a biofeedback equipment. During the last phase, transfer of respondent function will be verified by presenting stimuli B1, B2, C1 and C2 and measuring the SCR again. If SCR levels are greater after B1 and C1 presentations than after B2 and C2 presentations, transfer of respondent function will be demonstrated.