Sorting: An Alternative Measure of Class Formation?

Abstract

In initial sorting tests, 16 participants did not assign stimuli to experimenter-defined classes. Then, the baseline relations for 5-member equivalence classes were trained using matching-to-sample (MTS) trials. Follow-up MTS tests assessed class formation. Regardless of outcome, another sorting test assessed delayed class formation if classes had not formed or class-maintenance if classes emerged during the MTS test. Classes were not formed by 11 participants, emerged on a long-delayed basis in the sorting test for 2, emerged on a delayed basis in the first MTS test for 2 others, and emerged immediately in the MTS test for 3 others. The latter three participants then attempted to form new equivalence classes. After baseline training, emergence was assessed with a sorting test administered immediately thereafter, and was followed serially with an MTS and final sorting test. Responding in the first sorting tests demonstrated the immediate emergence of the stimulus classes for these participants. The MTS test results implied that the classes that emerged in the sorting test were actually equivalence classes. For the two participants who showed delayed class formation, class integrity was maintained during the follow-up sorting and MTS tests. Two other participants showed class formation in the last and final sorting test. The remaining nine did not show class formation. Because the sorting tests were completed 90 % faster than MTS tests, they provided a quick and reliable alternative to MTS tests for the tracking of class formation.

On the effectiveness of including meaningful pictures in the formation of equivalence classes

“…Data on the sorting tests for the ABS and the PIC groups in the three experiments in the present study replicate findings in previous studies with LS (Arntzen, Granmo, & Fields, 2017;Arntzen, Norbom, & Fields, 2015b;Fields, Arntzen, & Moksness, 2014) and MTO (Rustad Bevolden & Arntzen, 2018) training structures. Specifically, all participants who formed equivalence classes in the MTS-based emergent relation test sorted the cards according with experimenter-defined classes.…”

Equivalence class formation as a function of preliminary training with pictorial stimuli

“…All the participants who formed equivalence classes in tests for emergent relations also sorted the stimuli correctly in the postclass formation test. These findings replicate those of previous studies (e.g., Arntzen, Granmo, & Fields, 2017;Arntzen, Norbom, & Fields, 2015;Dickins, 2015), which shows a generalization of class membership to a test format that differed from that used to document class formation.…”

Effects of Meaningful Stimuli Contained in Different Numbers of Classes on Equivalence Class Formation

“…However, Dymond and Rehfeldt (2001) have suggested some additional measures in research on emergent relations, like sorting or categorization of stimuli and reaction time to comparison stimuli. Lately, a number of studies within research on emergent relations have included sorting tests (Arntzen, 2004;Arntzen, Granmo, & Fields, 2016;Arntzen,Norbom, & Fields, 2015;Cowley, Green, & Braunling-McMorrow, 1992;Dickins, 2011Dickins, , 2015Dymond & Rehfeldt, 2001;Eilifsen & Arntzen, 2009, 2011Fields, Arntzen, & Moksness, 2014;Fields et al, 2012;Fienup & Dixon, 2006;Green, 1990;Hove, 2003;Lowe, Horne, Harris, & Randle, 2002;Mackay, Wilkinson, Farrell, & Serna, 2011;Pilgrim & Galizio, 1996;Sigurdardottir, Mackay, & Green, 2012;Smeets, Dymond, & Barnes-Holmes, 2000). In general, studies have found that sorting tests have been a quick and easy measurement to administer to assess class partitioning.…”