Date of Award
4-1984
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Paul Mountjoy
Second Advisor
Dr. Jack Michael
Third Advisor
Dr. Norman Peterson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study investigated the acquisition of a few response forms under different controlling variables using both a topography based language (TB) (i.e., signing) and a stimulus selection based language (SSB) (i.e., touching symbols) with three language deficient developmentally disabled individuals. The subjects were taught to name, to ask for, and to touch keys that opened boxes that contained some form of reinforcement. Most of the keys' names were trained across more than one set of controlling variables per session. Before training began for a given key under a new condition, a transfer test was conducted, investigating the possibility of stimulus control transfer. Following mastery of a given condition, a probe session with a new key was conducted. The results showed that a new key name introduced after mastery of SSB language conditions was readily acquired. Transfer of stimulus control from one training procedure to another was not complete without training. Each subject demonstrated the use of complex verbal behavior by successfully using "the same word" under different controlling variables. Two subjects also demonstrated the use of verbal behavior multiply controlled as they mastered words in the SSB language.
Recommended Citation
Wiermanski, Mary-Ann, "The Training of a Few Response Forms under Multiple Controlling Variables" (1984). Masters Theses. 1537.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1537