Stewart, I., Barnes-Holmes, D., Roche, B., & Smeets, P. M. (2002).
A functional-analytic model of analogy: A relational frame analysis.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
78, 375-396.
The aim of this study was to explore a behavior-analytic model of
analogical reasoning, defined as the discrimination of formal
similarity via equivalence–equivalence responding. In
Experiment 1, adult humans were trained and tested for the
formation of four three-member equivalence relations: A1- B1-C1,
A2-B2-C2, A3-B3-C3, and A4-B4-C4. The B and C stimuli were
three-letter nonsense syllables, and the A stimulus was a colored
shape. Subjects were then successfully tested for
equivalence–equivalence responding (e.g., matching B1/C1 to
B2/C2 rather than B3/C4). These tasks were designed such that
equivalence–equivalence responding might allow subjects to
discriminate a physical similarity between the relations
involved. Some participants (color subjects) received only
equivalence–equivalence tasks in which they might
discriminate a color relation, whereas others (shape subjects)
were given tasks in which they might discriminate a shape
relation. A control group received both types of task. In a
subsequent test for the discrimination of formal similarity,
color subjects matched according to color, shape subjects matched
according to shape, and the control group showed no consistent
matching pattern. In Experiment 2, adult humans showed a
transformation of the functions of a block-sorting task via this
basic model of analogy. Empirical and conceptual issues related
to these results are discussed.
Key words: analogy, relational frame theory,
equivalence–equivalence, relations between relations, model,
humans