Simple discrimination training with differential responses to establish functional and equivalence classes with preschool children

Author(s)

Canovas, Daniela S. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Debert, Paula ^{[1, 2]} ; Miguel, Caio F. ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Nacl Ciencia & Tecnol Comportamento Cognicao, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Grp Metodo Intervencao Comportamental, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Calif State Univ Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95819 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR; v. 111, n. 1, p. 59-74, JAN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The present study assessed whether simple discrimination training with differential responses would produce functional and equivalence classes with preschool children. In Experiment 1, we exposed 10 children to simple successive discrimination training in which they had to press different buttons (selection-based responses). Response 1 (R1) was reinforced only in the presence of A1, B1, or C1, and Response 2 (R2) was reinforced only in the presence of A2, B2, or C2. We assessed the formation of functional classes by training new selection responses in the presence of one member of each class (A1-R3, A2-R4) and testing to see if these responses would occur in the presence of other members. Eight children responded consistently with functional class formation. Four of these eight children also responded consistently with the formation of equivalence classes. Experiment 2 investigated whether differential motor responses (i.e., gestures) would improve equivalence class yields. Three of six children showed both functional and equivalence class formation. In general, the results indicate that the simple discrimination procedure with differential responses yielded functional and equivalence class formation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/06422-6 - Reversals of simple sucessive discrimination and equivalence classes
• Grantee: Daniela de Souza Canovas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/50909-8 - INCT 2014: Behavior, Cognition and Teaching (INCT-ECCE): relational learning and symbolic functioning
• Grantee: Deisy das Graças de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants