Transfer of Positive and Negative Valenced Functions in Delayed and Simultaneous Matching-to Sample

In delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS), the sample stimulus is typically removed by an observing response, or by the passing of n-seconds before the comparison stimuli are presented. In stimulus equivalence research, DMTS have been shown to influence both the formation of equivalence classes and the transfer of stimulus functions, dependent on the delay interval. In the present experiment, sixteen participants in four experimental groups exposed to SMTS (Group 1), DMTS 0-s (Group 2), DMTS 3-s (Group 3), and DMTS 6-s (Group 4) trained conditional discriminations and were tested for the emergence of three 6-member classes (A->B->C->D->E->F). The A-stimuli consisted of faces showing angry (A1), neutral (A2), and happy (A3) expressions. Participants were exposed to two transitivity (BF) and equivalence (FB) tests. Finally, participants rated the D stimuli on a Semantic Differential Scale, and the scores were compared with a control group (n=24). Preliminary results show that positive valenced stimuli transfer to a higher degree than negative valenced stimuli.