Formação de classes de equivalência via consequências específicas em crianças com autismo

Abstract

Some previous studies, reporting equivalence or functional class formation with classspecific consequence procedures, found inter-subject variability due to loss of reinforcers efficacy. In the present study, we evaluated (1) the efficacy of introducing variations of events (within a category) as class-specific consequences and (2) the inclusion of such consequences into the equivalence classes. Two children diagnosed with autism participated. They were given identity matching to sample training (stimulus set A) and simple discrimination reversal training (stimulus set B). A variety of videos of a same theme plus a variety of food within the same category (such as sweet or salty) were used as class-specific consequences. Probe trials tested for the emergent arbitrary relations AB and Consequence-A relations. Both participants showed 100 percent of accuracy in baseline discriminations after four 24-trial training sessions. The accuracy criterion for performance in test blocks, to consider that the tested relations emerged, was (a) choose the stimulus S+ in the first test trial of each tested relation and (b) choose the S+ on at least five out of six trial in the test block. Performance of both participants reached the criterion and showed the inclusion of the classspecific consequences in the classes. The data reported here (1) show that the use of classspecific consequences comprising a variety of elements was efficient to maintain reinforcement efficacy; (2) confirm theoretical predictions on the inclusion of reinforcers into the equivalence classes, and on the possibility of equivalence relations in three-term contingencies; (3) encourage the use of similar procedures in applied context.