Deriving coordination relations by training opposition relations: a study using behavioral and electrophysiological measures

Abstract

According to the Relational Frame Theory (RFT), two opposition relations (e.g., AoppositeB and BoppositeC) allow the derivation of a coordination relation (A=C). Additional opposition relations in a linear series enable the alternating derivation of opposition and coordination relations. Thus, adding CoppositeD allows the derivation of AoppositeD, and the addition of DoppositeE generates A=E. These predictions were tested during the candidate's master's project, where a linear series of opposition relations involving A1B1C1D1E1 and A2B2C2C2E2 was trained, with B1 and B2 representing the words HAPPINESS and SADNESS, respectively, and the other stimuli being abstract figures. Behavioral tests confirmed the coordination derivation through two oppositions (A=C and C=E), and transfer of functions from B1 and B2 to abstract stimuli was observed. AD and AE relations were used during EEG measurements to obtain Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), which would provide additional evidence of coordination derivation through the N400 ERP. However, EEG data were inconclusive. Thus, the present project proposes four new experiments to refine EEG procedures and obtain behavioral measures of derived relations that test not only coordination but also the alternation of coordination and opposition derivation along the linear series. The first experiment aims to refine ERP acquisition by introducing additional controls to calibrate the electrophysiological measure and the behavioral test allowing its acquisition. The second will extend the results of the first using stimuli without pre-experimental functions. Two additional experiments will refine behavioral measures of derived relations to obtain a more rigorous confirmation of the alternation between coordination and opposition-derived relations and the transformation of stimulus functions.