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| From Primary Verbal Operants to Rules: A Conceptual Analysis of the Functional Variables at Work |
| Monday, May 30, 2005 |
| 10:00 AM–10:50 AM |
| Stevens 3 (Lower Level) |
| Area: VBC; Domain: Theory |
| Chair: David Bicard (Hawthorne Country Day School) |
| Discussant: William L. Heward (The Ohio State University) |
| Abstract: In this symposium we will present two papers related to the study of verbal behavior. The first paper will discuss recent investigations done in the area of stimulus-stimulus pairing to teach primary verbal operants to non-verbal children. The second paper will discuss the research on rules and verbally controlled behavior. Both of the papers will delve into the conceptual and methodological difficulties in the study of these two areas of verbal behavior and discuss alternate interpretations of the research that may prove useful for the further study of verbal behavior. |
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| A Stimulus-Stimulus Pairing Procedure and Vocal Behavior of Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities |
| SOYOUNG YOON (Hawthorne Country Day School), David Bicard (Hawthorne Country Day School) |
| Abstract: A stimulus-stimulus pairing procedure has been proven effective in inducing noble vocal sounds in children with no or very limited vocal verbal behavior. The effect of the pairing procedure is evident in increasing the rate of the specific vocal sound paired without direct reinforcement. However, the effect has been reported to be temporary in several studies. The author will describe possible variables related to this. And specifically, the author will present a study that manipulates one of the possible variables, the number of pairings and pairing sessions, and discuss the results. A stimulus-stimulus pairing procedure has been proven effective in inducing noble vocal sounds in children with no or very limited vocal verbal behavior. The effect of the pairing procedure is evident in increasing the rate of the specific vocal sound paired without direct reinforcement. However, the effect has been reported to be temporary in several studies. The author will describe possible variables related to this. And specifically, the author will present a study that manipulates one of the possible variables, the number of pairings and pairing sessions, and discuss the results. |
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| A Conceputal Analysis of the Functional Charecteristics of Rules |
| DAVID BICARD (Hawthorne Country Day School) |
| Abstract: Since Skinner first introduced the term rule into the lexicon of behavior analysis in the 1960s, behavioral researchers have failed to come to a clear consensus concerning either the conceptual foundation or the experimental results of the analysis of how rules control verbal and nonverbal behavior. A precise and experimentally determined definition of rules will likely influence the course and interpretation of research and has implications for how behavior analysts apply the technology to help solve human problems. The purpose of this paper is to review the conceptual and experimental analysis of verbally controlled behavior, examine the relevant literature, and provide a research supported functional definition of the term rule. |
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