Response to sample requirements in conditional discrimination procedures

Abstract

The present experiment examined number of training trials as a function of a required response to sample in establishing conditional discriminations and testing for responding accordance with stimulus equivalence. Reaction times were also examined. Twenty participants in 4 different experimental groups were compared in a between-groups design. The participants were trained to form 4 classes of 3 stimuli each with a linear series (LS) training structure. Unreinforced trials for directly trained relations were included in the test. Results from the present study show that a required response to sample increased chances to learn the discriminations more quickly. This may imply that the required response can increase the observing behavior. Required response to sample did not affect responding according to emergent relations in the test in any substantial way. Reaction time data show that there are systematic differences in reaction latency depending on the trial type in the test, and that incorrect responses may not be randomly selected