Fields, L., Matneja, P., Varelas, A., Belanich, J., Fitzer, A., & Shamoun, K. (2002).
The formation of linked perceptual classes.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
78, 271-290.
Multiple-exemplar training with stimuli in four domains induced
two new fill-based (A1' and A2') and satellite-image-based (B1'
and B2') perceptual classes. Conditional discriminations were
established between the endpoints of the A1' and B1' classes as
well as the A2' and B2' classes. The emergence of linked
perceptual classes was evaluated by the performances occasioned
by nine cross-class probes that contained fill variants as
samples and satellite variants as comparisons, along with nine
other cross-class probes that consisted of satellite variants as
samples and fill variants as comparisons. The 18 probes were
first presented serially and then concurrently. Class-consistent
responding indicated the emergence of linked perceptual classes.
Of the linked perceptual classes, 70% emerged during the initial
serial test. An additional 20% of the linked perceptual classes
emerged during the subsequently presented concurrent test block.
Thus, linked perceptual classes emerged on an immediate or
delayed basis. Linked perceptual classes, then, share structural
and functional similarities with equivalence classes, generalized
equivalence classes, cross-modal classes, and complex naturally
occurring categories, and may clarify processes such as
intersensory perception.
Key words: linked perceptual classes, cross-class probes,
generalized equivalence classes, intersensory perception,
keyboard responding, college students