Date of Award
12-1990
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Jack L. Michael
Second Advisor
Dr. Alyce Dickinson
Third Advisor
Dr. R. W. Farqua
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study examined whether it was easier for developmentally disabled individuals to acquire a topography-based or a selection-based language system. Four moderately and mildly mentally retarded adults served as subjects. Each of the subjects was taught to tact an object by either pointing to its corresponding symbol (with the selection-based paradigm) or making the corresponding sign (with the topography-based system). They were then taught an intraverbal relation by either selecting the symbol, or making the sign which corresponded to an auditory stimulus. Finally, the subjects were tested for the emergence of stimulus equivalence classes. Each subject was trained and tested with one paradigm, and then trained and tested with the other. The results show that sign language was acquired more easily than symbol board language, as measured by the acquisition of tacts, intraverbals, and the formation of stimulus equivalency.
Recommended Citation
Sundberg, Carl, "A Comparison of a Topography-Based Language System and a Selection-Based Language System" (1990). Masters Theses. 1070.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1070