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| Int'l Symposium - Event Related Potentials (ERPs) Measures of Derived Relational Responding |
| Sunday, May 30, 2004 |
| 2:30 PM–3:50 PM |
| Fairfax A |
| Area: EAB; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Louise A. Mchugh (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) |
| Abstract: . |
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| Response Latency as a Measure of Derived Relational Responding: A Review |
| LOUISE A. MCHUGH (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Robert Whelan (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Simon Dymond (APU, Cambridge, UK), Bettina Mohr-Pulvermuller (APU, Cambridge, UK) |
| Abstract: Studies of stimulus equivalence and derived stimulus relations generally employ "percentage correct" as both a criterion and as a measure of performance. However, some researchers have reported differential response latencies as a function of training history. The current paper reviews the extant research that has used this supplemental measure, and also discusses the sometimes-discordant findings that have emerged. For example, studies measuring equivalent relations often report that response latency increases as a function of the number of intervening derived relations. In contrast, studies that measured comparative relations have reported that response time decreased as a function of the number of intervening derived relations. Also, it appears that the order and quantity of particular trial types presented during training may have an important bearing on the chronometric differences observed. The current paper will discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of response latency as a dependent variable. For example, response latencies may be an effective method of examining differences among types of relations, but behavior analysts must be cognizant of the limitations of response latency as a measure of behavior. |
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| A Behavioural Model of Perspective-Taking incorporating Event Related Potentials |
| LOUISE A. MCHUGH (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Yvonne Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Ian T. Stewart (National University of Ireland, Galway), Robert Whelan (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) |
| Abstract: The issue of perspective-taking has attracted the attention of developmental psychologists for a number of years. This interest has been enhanced by the possible role of perspective-taking deficits in autism. Theory of Mind (ToM) has provided the dominant mainstream approach to perspective-taking. One recent strand of this research has employed the Event Related Potentials (ERPs) methodology to index the activity of neural systems engaged during ToM reasoning in adults. Specifically, neural activity elicited by perspective-taking tasks as compared with non-perspective taking tasks was characterized by a focally enhanced positivity over left frontal areas, which was diminished over left parietal areas. Recent Relational Frame Theory research (RFT) has suggested the possible utility of approaching perspective-taking as generalized operant behavior. According to RFT, the deictic relational frames of I and YOU, HERE and THERE and NOW and THEN are central to the development of complex perspective-taking. The aim of the current study was to index the activity of neural systems that are engaged during RFT based perspective-taking tasks involving these deictic frames in an attempt to demonstrate the functional similarity of the RFT and ToM approaches. Results suggest a neurobiological link between traditional Theory of Mind tasks and RFT perspective-taking tasks. |
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| Relating Derived Relations as a Model of Analogical Reasoning: Reaction Times and Event Related Potentials |
| DONAL REGAN (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Ian T. Stewart (National University of Ireland, Galway), Robert Whelan (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Yvonne Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Simon Dymond (APU, Cambridge, UK), Bettina Mohr-Pulvermuller (APU, Cambridge, UK) |
| Abstract: Relational Frame Theory argues that analogical reasoning involves the relating of relational frames. Consider the following question based on the classic proportion scheme (A : B :: C : ?); "apple is to orange as dog is to; (i) sheep, or (ii) book?". If "apple" and "orange" participate in an equivalence frame in the context "fruit," and "dog" and "sheep" participate in an equivalence frame in the context "animals" then we would expect a person to pick "sheep" as the correct answer. In effect, the response would be in accordance with the equivalence frame between two already established separate equivalence frames. The current paper briefly reviews an on going program of research in this area, and then presents some new evidence that has employed reaction time and event related potentials as measures of relating derived relations. The evidence suggests that coordinating two frames of coordination requires less relational responding than coordinating two frames of distinction. Implications arising from this work for mainstream cognitive psychology will be discussed. |
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| Semantic Priming as a Measure of Derived Relational Responding:Reaction Times, Errors and Event Related Potentials |
| EOGHAN J. RYAN (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Robert Whelan (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Ian T. Stewart (National University of Ireland, Galway), Yvonne Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Simon Dymond (APU, Cambridge, UK), Bettina Mohr-Pulvermuller (APU, Cambridge, UK) |
| Abstract: One of the core assumptions of Relational Frame Theory is that the behavioral units of human language and thought may be defined in terms of derived stimulus relations. If this theoretical postulate is correct, it follows that many of the measures of language and thought processes typically employed within cognitive psychology should also be sensitive to derived stimulus relations. The study reported in the current paper was designed to test this suggestion using episodic and mediated priming. Adult participants were first exposed to conditional discrimination training and testing designed to establish four equivalence relations (i.e., A1-B1-C1, A2-B2-C2, A3-B3-C3, A4-B4-C4), and were then exposed to a standard priming task involving the stimuli from the four equivalence relations. The presentation of across-class primes and targets increased reaction times, and produced a larger N400 electroencephalogram waveform, relative to within-class primes and targets. No differential effects were found for accuracy scores, however. These data lend support to the argument that relational frames constitute behavioral units of human language and thought. |
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