Focal and Contextual Stimulus Variables in Verbal Conditioning

Abstract

Part I of the study dealt with the development of classes of words which were characterized by within-class variation, such variation being based on the degree of class belongingness. Using a modified Q-sort and a rating procedure, it was found that groups of Ss could consistently discriminate between words within a class. Part II dealt with verbal conditioning. Using a modified Taffel procedure, Ss selected a word from a pair of words presented. Fifteen operant and 75 acquisition trials were administered. Ss were reinforced (“good”) during acquisition when they chose the critical word (animals) of the pair. Focal stimulus variation was defined as high or low class membership of the critical stimuli. Context variation was defined as variation in non-critical stimuli, neutral vs shape words. Results demonstrated that variations in both focal and contextual stimuli produced significant effects in verbal conditioning.