Stimulus Equivalence
Also called: equivalence relations, emergent relations, derived relations, reflexivity, symmetry, transitivity
Definition
The emergence of untrained relations among stimuli after a few relations have been taught. If a learner is taught that A goes with B and B goes with C, equivalence is shown when they also match B to A and C to B (symmetry), A to C (transitivity), and each stimulus to itself (reflexivity) without training. It is the basis of equivalence-based instruction and a behavioral account of meaning.
In plain language
Teach a few links between things and the learner works out the other links on their own. Teach that a word goes with a picture and a picture with a written word, and the word and written word connect too.
Example
Taught to match the spoken word "three" to the numeral 3, and the numeral to three dots, a learner then matches the spoken word to three dots with no teaching.
Not stimulus equivalence
A learner who has to be taught every pairing separately and shows nothing new. The relations were trained, not derived.
See also
Written from
- sidman-1994
Written from Sidman (1994). No textbook glossary consulted.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.