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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Assessing Stimulus Control in a Discrimination Task with Compound Stimuli: Evaluating Testing Procedures and Tracking Eye Fixations

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Author(s):
Perez, William F. [1] ; Endemann, Peter [1] ; Pessoa, Candido V. B. B. [1] ; Tomanari, Gerson Y. [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD; v. 65, n. 1, p. 83-88, MAR 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

Experiments with pigeons have suggested that the way stimuli are arranged in tests affects the demonstration of the stimulus control established during training. The present study aimed to replicate these findings with humans exposed to a simultaneous-discrimination task with compound stimuli. Adults were exposed to a discrimination task, and their eye fixations were recorded. Two compound stimuli were used: a triangle and a red circle, and a square and a green circle. During Phase 1, responses to the first compound were reinforced, and during Phase 2, these contingencies were reversed. Following training in each phase, the components of the stimulus compound were separated and presented across different tests to assess stimulus control by each stimulus component. Participants tended to choose the component on which their eyes had most frequently fixated during training. However, the S+ component that was associated with fewer fixations also controlled participants' choices. Results on tests replicate previous findings with pigeons. Possible effects of peripheral vision are discussed. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/57705-8 - Institute for the Study of Behavior, Cognition and Teaching
Grantee:Deisy das Graças de Souza
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/19125-2 - An experimental analog of metacontingency and observation
Grantee:Candido Vinicius Bocaiuva Barnsley Pessôa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral