Computational models of stimulus equivalence: An intersection for the study of symbolic behavior.

Stimulus equivalence is a central paradigm in the analysis of symbolic behavior, language, and cognition. It describes emergent relations between stimuli that were not explicitly trained and cannot be explained by primary stimulus generalization. In recent years, researchers have developed computational models to simulate the learning of equivalence relations. These models have been used to address primary theoretical and methodological issues in this field, such as exploring the underlying mechanisms that explain emergent equivalence relations and analyzing the effects of training and testing protocols on equivalence outcomes. Nonetheless, although these models build upon general learning principles, their operation is usually obscure for nonmodelers, and in the field of stimulus equivalence computational models have been developed with a variety of approaches, architectures, and algorithms that make it difficult to understand the scope and contributions of these tools. In this paper, we present the state of the art in computational modeling of stimulus equivalence. We seek to provide concise and accessible descriptions of the models' functioning and operation, highlight their main theoretical and methodological contributions, identify the existing software available for researchers to run experiments, and suggest future directions in the emergent field of computational modeling of stimulus equivalence.

Formación de clases equivalentes a través de reglas verbales y formato manual / Equivalent class formation via verbal rules and paper-and-pencil format / Formação de classes equivalentes mediante regras verbais e formato manual

Se analizó la formación de clases de estímulos equivalentes vía reglas verbales mediante la utilización de un procedimiento de igualación de la muestra en un formato de "papel y lápiz" para el entrenamiento y evaluación de discriminaciones condicionales. Participaron voluntariamente 36 estudiantes universitarios; el grupo experimental recibió entrenamiento de línea base vía reglas verbales, pruebas de mantenimiento de línea base y pruebas de equivalencia; el grupo control sólo recibió las pruebas. El instrumento desarrollado mostró ser efectivo. Un número considerable de participantes del grupo experimental logró formar dos clases de estímulos equivalentes, a diferencia del grupo control en que ninguno de los participantes formó las clases. El desarrollo de procedimientos efectivos con "papel y lápiz" y reglas, podría apoyar la enseñanza de habilidades básicas de lectura en poblaciones grandes con economía de tiempo y dinero.

Equivalent class formation through verbal rules was analyzed. A matching-to-sample procedure for training and probing of conditional discriminations in a "paper and pencil" format was used. Participants were 36 voluntary students, divided in two groups. The baseline training for the experimental group was carried out via verbal rules. This group also received maintenance probes and equivalence probes during the baseline period. The control group was only given the probes. The instrument used proved to be effective. The majority of participants in the experimental group formed two equivalent classes, unlike the control group in which none of the participants showed class formation. The development of effective procedures using "paper and pencil" and verbal rules format, could support the teaching of basic reading skills in large populations with a resulting economy of time and money.

Neste artigo foi analisada a formação de classes de estímulos equivalentes via regras verbais, recorrendo a um procedimento de igualação da amostra em um formato de "papel e lápis" para o trenamento e avaliação de discriminações condicionais. Participaram 36 estudantes voluntários. O grupo experimental foi treinado em linha de base via regras verbais, provas de manutenção de linha de base e provas de equivalência. O grupo controle só recebeu as provas. O instrumento desenvolvido foi efetivo. Um número considerável de participantes do grupo experimental formou duas classes de estímulos equivalentes. No grupo controle ninguém dos participantes formou as classes. O desenvolvimento de procedimentos efetivos com "papel e lápis" e regras poderia ajudar no ensino de habilidades básicas de leitura nas populações grandes, economizando tempo e dinheiro.