Conditional Learning of Relations in Humans: Assessment of two methods of choice

Abstract

In second order conditional discrimination a stimulus signals the relationship among sample and comparative stimuli which defines the contingency at work. The purposes of this study were: 1) To assess two methods of training in second order discrimination in transference and transitivity tests, 2) To portray the pattern of acquisition of multiple relations, 3) To examine the effect on transitivity of type ofexposure to tasks, and 4) To assess the effect of cost of response. Adults were trained in two tasks with 5 relations of equivalence: simple and symbolic matching and oddity to sample, and inclusion. Subjects were assigned to two training conditions: choice ofsecond order stimulus (SOS) or choice of Comparative stimuli (COS). Drawings were employed as SOS 's. Colors, geometrical shapes and numeric patteros were used as sample (SS) and comparative stimul,: Two procedures were used in tasks 1 and 2: alternated sessions and blocks ofsessiones. Feed­back with and without cost was used; control subjects for each method did not have cost of response. Results showed high performances for subjects in the comparative choice; training with block resulted in slightly higher transitivity than alternated sessions. The ptittern of acquisition of relational responses was analized in terms of levels of detach­mento The cost condition did not yield any systematic effect. A multiple index for assesing the level ofperformance is offered.