Function transfer in human operant experiments: the role of stimulus pairings

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Learning Theory

Background:

• Function transfer is often studied in complex operant procedures like matching to sample.
• The role of operant reinforcement in producing function transfer in these settings remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether stimulus pairings can induce function transfer in conditions resembling matching to sample.
• To examine the mechanisms underlying function transfer, differentiating between Pavlovian and operant accounts.

Main Methods:

• Four experiments were conducted with high school students.
• Experiment 1: Paired geometric figures (C1-C3) with colored shapes (B1-B3).
• Experiment 2: Compared a matching group with a yoked group receiving paired stimuli.
• Experiment 3: Used indirect stimulus pairings (A-B, A-C).
• Experiment 4: Introduced continuous vocalization during pairing to block verbal mediation.

Main Results:

• Subjects demonstrated function transfer from geometric figures to colored shapes after stimulus pairings.
• Both direct and indirect stimulus pairings resulted in function transfer.
• Function transfer occurred even when subjects vocalized continuously, suggesting it is not solely mediated by verbal processes.
• Results were consistent across different experimental conditions, including the yoked group.

Conclusions:

• Stimulus pairings are sufficient to promote function transfer in operant contexts.
• Pavlovian conditioning provides a viable explanation for the observed function transfer.
• Current operant theories may not fully account for function transfer phenomena.