학술논문

Deriving Relations at Multiple Levels of Complexity Following Minimal Instruction: A Demonstration
Document Type
Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Author
Jessica L. ParanczakJoseph M. Lambert (ORCID 0000-0002-2935-0042); Jennifer R. Ledford (ORCID 0000-0002-2392-7103); Bailey A. CopelandM. Janey Macdonald (ORCID 0000-0002-1494-4964)
Source
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 2024 57(2):408-425.
Subject
Applied Behavior Analysis
Teaching Methods
Behavior Modification
Instructional Effectiveness
Learning Processes
Generalization
Behavior Theories
Stimuli
Networks
Language
English
ISSN
0021-8855
1938-3703
Abstract
Recommendations for achieving generalized instructional outcomes often overlook the capacity for generative learning for most verbally competent humans. Four children (ages 5-8) participated in this project. In Study 1, we provided decontextualized discrete trial teaching to establish arbitrary relations between colors, pictures of characters, and researcher motor actions. All participants engaged in derivative responding, providing evidence of relational framing. Subsequently, we demonstrated that, with no additional instruction, these derivatives contributed to effective action within a socially valid context (i.e., Candyland gameplay). Study 2 extended the demonstration by teaching frames of opposition. Following teaching, all participants engaged in novel and contextually appropriate responding that entailed the derivation of both coordination and opposition between untrained stimuli. This outcome demonstrates how teaching simple relations can result in learning that manifests at higher levels of complexity (i.e., relational networking), providing some evidence that there can be socially valid benefits to decontextualized discrete trial instruction.