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Relational coherence in ambiguous and unambiguous relational networks
Jennifer L Quinones1, Steven C Hayes
1University of Nevada, Reno.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|December 19, 2013
Summary
This study explores how people respond to ambiguous relational networks. Findings show that a history of consistent responses, or bias towards "different," leads to coherent choices, unlike inconsistent responses when biased towards "same."
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Clinical theories often link psychopathology to cognitive styles without detailing pattern formation.
- Understanding how individuals process ambiguous information is crucial for explaining cognitive errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how individuals respond to ambiguous relational networks.
- To examine the role of response history and coherence in shaping judgments of ambiguous relations.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted using 3-stimulus networks to test relational learning.
- Participants classified combinatorial relations as SAME/DIFFERENT and GREATER THAN/LESS THAN.
- Experiment 2 utilized pretraining to bias responses to ambiguous relations.
Main Results:
- In ambiguous networks, choosing 'DIFFERENT' led to consistent comparative judgments.
- Choosing 'SAME' for ambiguous relations resulted in inconsistent comparative judgments.
- Pretraining biased responses aligned with Experiment 1's findings.
Conclusions:
- Response history and coherence significantly influence how individuals interpret ambiguous relational networks.
- This research offers a foundational behavioral model for understanding cognitive styles and errors.
- The findings highlight the importance of consistent learning histories in decision-making.
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