Yield as an essential measure of equivalence class formation, other measures, and new determinants

Abstract

“Yield,” the percentage of participants in a group who form a set of equivalence classes, has been used very broadly to identify the effect of different training protocols on class formation and expansion, identify variables that enhance the immediate emergence of these classes, and characterize the differential relatedness of class members. In addition, yield is now being used to document the formation of educationally relevant equivalence classes. To further understand the value of using yield, we considered six possible criticisms of its use to study equivalence classes. Upon analysis, each criticism was supported; instead, each disclosed a nonyield factor that could play a critical role in the measurement of class formation but has not yet been explored experimentally. Finally, yield cannot be replaced with trial-based measures of responding or vice versa; rather, both types of measures are needed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of equivalence class formation.