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| Int'l Symposium - Contextual Effects on Verbal Communication |
| Monday, May 31, 2004 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| Independence West |
| Area: VBC; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Claire E. Egan (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) |
| Abstract: . |
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| Asking For It: Using Equivalence Relations and Derived Transfer of Functions to Examine Increasingly Complex Manding with Six Children Diagnosed with Autism |
| CAROL MURPHY (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Jennifer O'Connor (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) |
| Abstract: The research implemented two procedural sequences in a cross-over experimental design with six children diagnosed with autism. Sequence A involved phases 1,2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, in that order. Sequence B involved phases 1, 4, 5, 2, 3 and 6, in that order. Three participants were exposed to Sequence A and three were exposed to Sequence B. All stimuli employed were arbitrary. Phase 1 involved training two differential mand functions (A1 and A2 to mand for Z1 and Z2, respectively). Phase 2 incorporated the mand stimuli in two conditional discriminations (i.e., A1-B1, A2-B2, B1-C1, B2-C2). Phase 3 entailed a test for a Derived Transfer of Mand Functions. Phase 4 incorporated the reinforcer stimuli in two conditional discriminations (i.e., X1-Y1, X2-Y2, Y1-Z1, Y2-Z2). Phase 5 entailed a test for a Derived Transfer of Reinforcer Functions. Phase 6 examined Derived Transfer of Mand and Reinforcer Functions (i.e., C1 and C2 to mand for Z1 and Z2, respectively). All six participants successfully demonstrated Derived Transfer of Functions on each test occasion. The results support the view that both Relational Frame Theory and the concepts developed in Skinner's (1957) Verbal Behavior may be combined in the systematic analysis of human language. |
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| Assessing the Independence of Function Between Mands and Tacts |
| CLAIRE E. EGAN (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) |
| Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine if functional independence between mands and tacts could be demonstrated. In Experiment 1, 4 subjects were trained to mand using one set of autoclitics (either big/medium/small, first/second/last, or left/middle/right). Subjects were then tested on the appearance of tacts containing these taught autoclitics. None of the 4 subjects emitted tacts during probe conditions. Experiment 2 replicated the procedures of Experiment 1, except that following the tact probe subjects were tested for listener responses (‘Point to’) and ‘impure’ tacts (‘Where is it?’). Results showed that 3 of the 4 subjects emitted the taught autoclitics during probes of impure tacts. Experiment 3 assessed the effects of mand training on the appearance of tacts and listener responses. Results from this experiment demonstrated that for 3 of the 4 subjects a correlation existed between mand training and the appearance of tacts and listener responses. Overall, functional independence between mands and tacts was not demonstrated. Transfer of function between mands and tacts was demonstrated in the presence of the necessary antecedent control. |
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| Studying Discourse: An RFT Perspective |
| CAROLYN SWEENEY (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) |
| Abstract: This paper constitutes an initial attempt to generate a functional contextualist methodology for the analysis of discourse based on the Relational Frame Theory account of human language as arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding. The data consists of a series of 8 short negotiations. Thirteen primary school children participated in the study. They were aged between 7 and 12 and arranged in dyads across age, gender and verbal ability scores. Negotiation is framed as an act in context and the discourse is examined in terms of transfer of stimulus function. The findings are discussed in the context of RFT and directions for further research are identified. |
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| What Do You Want? Communication Breakdowns and Repair Strategies: An Examination of the Influence of Establishing Operations |
| CLAIRE LACEY (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Dermot Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Yvonne Barnes-Holmes (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) |
| Abstract: Many individuals with developmental disabilities may experience frequent communication breakdowns during their everyday interactions. These breakdowns in communication may be due in part to the limited and idiosyncratic nature of their communicative repertoire and social partners’ unresponsiveness to communicative attempts. Individual attempts to repair the communication breakdown may include a repetition or modification of the original communicative act. In some cases individuals may exhibit problem behaviour in an attempt to repair. The likelihood that an individual will persist to repair a communication breakdown however may depend on the individual’s level of motivation. This paper addresses the influence of establishing operations on the use of repair strategies in response to communication breakdowns. The importance of considering the role of establishing operations when assessing repair strategies and teaching appropriate repair strategies is discussed |
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