| The current investigation sought to replicate and extend previous research (Barnes-Holmes, 2001; and Barnes-Holmes, Barnes-Holmes, Roche, & Smeets, 2001a & B), which evaluated the role of multiple exemplar training on the development of arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding. Four female participants, ages 4--5 years old, who could not perform a series of problem solving tasks involving MORE and LESS relations were included in the study. Participants were exposed to a series of training exercises and testing to evaluate the development of this type of relational responding. Results indicate that multiple exemplar training facilitated the development of derived relational responding and identified potential pre-requisites in the development of more complex forms of such responding. Arguments for treating arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding as operant behavior are discussed. |
