How to Build and How not to Build an Implicit Measure in Behavior Analysis: A case Study Using the Function Acquisition Speed Test

Abstract This article provides a comprehensive overview of the development behavior-analytic alternative to popular implicit association test (IAT), namely, function acquisition speed (FAST). The IAT appears, prima facia , indirectly assess participants’ learning histories with regard categorization stimuli. However, its origin within cognitive psychology has rendered it replete mentalism, conceptual ambiguity, statistical arbitrariness, and confounding procedural artifacts. most behavioral IAT, widely used relational assessment procedure (IRAP), inherited many these concerning In this article, we present critique both IRAP, argue that approach measures must have stimulus control front center in analysis. We then outline series early research studies provided basis for potentially superior our field. go on how was harnessed stepwise research, guided by strict adherence traditional methods analysis relations, increasingly modify format fit behavior analyst interested assessing relatedness.