GO/NO-GO PROCEDURE WITH COMPOUND STIMULI WITH VARIABLE INTERVAL SCHEDULE

Abstract

All previous experiments conducted with the go/no-go procedure with compound stimuli in humans used the conjunctive schedule FR1 and VT 2.5 s. The effects of other reinforcement schedules in this kind of procedure were not investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a variable interval reinforcement schedule (VI) in the establishment of conditional relations with the go/no-go procedure with compound stimuli in humans. Four participants were exposed to a computer task, divided in three phases. In Phase 1, AB and BC relations were trained. Responses emitted in the presence of compound stimuli A1B1, A2B2, B1C1, and B2C2 were followed by reinforcing consequences (points) in a VI schedule 2.5 s. Responses emitted in the presence of compound stimuli A1B2, A2B1, B1C2, and B2C1 were not followed by programmed consequences (i.e., extinction). After obtaining accurate performances in training, the emergence of symmetry relations (BA and CB) were tested in Phase 2, and the emergence of transitivity and equivalence relations (AC and CA respectively) were tested in Phase 3. All four participants exhibited symmetry relations, and three participants exhibited transitivity and equivalence relations. The results indicate that it is possible to establish emergent conditional relations with a VI schedule in the go/no-go procedure with compound stimuli in humans. Therefore, VI schedule is a possible alternative to the conjunctive schedule. Keywords: stimulus equivalence, go/no-go procedure, reinforcement schedules, humans