The effects of note taking as a visual mediation strategy on the formation of equivalence classes

A graphic organizer (GO) is a note-taking device with concepts and fill-in spaces that may enhance equivalence yields under suboptimal training and testing parameters (e.g., linear training, simultaneous testing, five-member all-abstract classes). We used a nonconcurrent multiple-probe design across eight adult participants to evaluate the effects of a treatment package consisting of abstract matching-to-sample baseline relations training (MTS-BRT) and GO-construction training. GOs were faded until participants drew or wrote the trained relations from a blank page, which was available in the pre- and posttests. There was a 75% yield (six of eight participants) on the first posttest and a 100% yield following remedial training with Set 1. With Set 2, MTS-BRT alone resulted in voluntary GO construction and a 75% yield (three of four participants) on the first posttest and a 100% yield following remedial training. These results suggest that teaching participants to draw relations among stimuli may strengthen the effects of MTS-BRT training on equivalence yields.