Comparison patterns: An experimental study of transposition in children

This study evaluated the functional role of behavioral patterns in relational behavior in humans. The participants were five children, 9-11 years-old. A modified transposition task (size) was used, requiring active comparison patterns in order to match two relational stimulus compounds with two sample stimulus compounds. Comparison patterns were analyzed in terms of the variety of sequences and exceeding movements, the choice of relevant stimuli, and their correspondence with the size relationship between stimulus instances. Results suggest that variation in sequences and movements as well as choice for relevant stimuli influenced the establishment of relational behavior. The neglect of active comparison patterns in accounting for relational behavior is discussed.