8 Stimulus classes and the untrained acquisition of stimulus functions

Abstract

The chapter discusses stimulus classes and the untrained acquisition of stimulus functions. The relation between stimulus classes and the untrained acquisition or emergence of stimulus function is interesting and complex. However, one of the problems in interpreting and integrating the stimulus class literature is that there is an inconsistent terminology for talking about stimulus classes. The other problem is the identification of the prerequisites for the formation of stimulus classes and the variables that control their union. The stimulus classes were distinguished among three types of classes: (1) stimulus classes, (2) functional equivalence classes, and (3) stimulus equivalence classes (Dougher and Markham). The chapter provides a conceptual scheme for integrating the various findings from the stimulus class literature and identifies the classes of variables that may shed light on the relevant issues in the field. Untrained acquisition of stimulus function is one of the most interesting findings to emerge from the recent and growing body of research on stimulus classes, and it is the primary topic of this chapter.