Meehan, E. F. (1999).
Class-consistent differential reinforcement and stimulus class formation in pigeons.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
72, 97-115.
Match-to-sample training clusters of A1 (sample): B1/B2
(comparisons), A2: B2/B1, B1: A1/A2, B2: A2/A1, B1: C1/C2, B2:
C2/C1, C1: B1/B2, and C2: B2/B1 were presented to pigeons with
class-consistent differential reinforcement using two dissimilar
types of food reinforcers. Distinctive class-consistent response
patterns occurred to the samples during the fixed-ratio 5 sample
observing response requirement. Subsequent tests, modeled from
the equivalence class paradigm demonstrated the emergence (80%
class consistent) of the transitive-like A-C and C-A relations
for 4 and 2 of 12 pigeons, respectively, and a strong trend (over
70%) for 7 and 6 others, respectively; the emergence of the
reflexive-like identity relation when the nonidentical comparison
was from the other class; and the disruption of the trained
within-class relation with the addition of a reflexive
comparison. After directional training of C1: D1/D2 and C2:
D2/D1, tests indicated no emergence of the symmetric-like D-C
relation or the composite D-B and D-A relations, but the B-D and
A-D transitive-like relation occurred with some pigeons. Off-
baseline training with class-consistent differential
reinforcement contingent on responding to the D stimuli alone
produced distinctive responding and, in turn, a trend to D-C
symmetric-like control in 4 of 12 pigeons, as well as a shift
toward class-consistent control on D-B and D-A test trials.
Class-consistent differential reinforcement that produced
distinctive sample behavior promoted stimulus control relations
like those that circumscribe equivalence class formation.
Respondent—operant interactions permit an analysis of the
possible enrollment of stimulus values of distinctive responding
to the discriminative stimuli forming the stimulus classes via
processes corresponding to naming in humans.
Key words: equivalence class, functional class,
stimulus-reinforcer relations, respondent-operant
interactions, differential outcome, key peck, pigeons