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TRANSIENT EFFECTS OF ACQUISITION HISTORY ON GENERALIZATION IN A MATCHING‐TO‐SAMPLE TASK
Author(s) -
Michael Renee L.,
Bernstein Daniel J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of the experimental analysis of behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1938-3711
pISSN - 0022-5002
DOI - 10.1901/jeab.1991.56-155
Subject(s) - generalization , imitation , stimulus (psychology) , psychology , task (project management) , cognitive psychology , matching (statistics) , developmental psychology , stimulus control , stimulus generalization , reinforcement , computer science , social psychology , statistics , mathematics , neuroscience , mathematical analysis , management , economics , perception , nicotine
This study examined the role of learning history on the acquisition of a matching‐to‐sample task. Twelve preschool children learned four stimulus classes through instructions, shaping, or imitation. After reaching criterion, the subjects were exposed to changed discrimination contingencies to determine how each learning history affected the acquisition of responses appropriate to the new contingencies. All subjects reached criterion on the new relations, although the subjects with a shaping history adapted slightly more quickly than those subjects with a history of instructions or imitation. Given sufficient exposure to changed contingencies, rule‐driven insensitivity to contingencies was overcome by experience with consequences. This result may be specific to younger subjects, but it suggests that instructions can be used in education without creating insensitivity to contingencies.