Facilitation of equivalence – equivalence responding: generalization of relational responses Facilitación de la respuesta de equivalencia – equivalencia: generalización de respuestas relacionales

Equivalence-equivalence responding (Eq-Eq) has become a behaviour analytic model of analogical reasoning. In previous works it was demonstrated that the exposition to a non-arbitrary relational task (facilitation procedure) improves performance in Eq-Eq tasks. In the present work we attempted to analyze the role of task components: arbitrary or nonarbitrary relational responses, role as sample or comparisons, and relating relations. In the first experiment, we devised four facilitation procedures combining two dimensions: simple or compound sample or comparisons and arbitrary or nonarbitrary relations among compound stimuli. In the second experiment two facilitation procedures including compound stimuli were tested. In one condition arbitrary relations worked as sample, and non-arbitrary relations as comparison. In the other condition its function was reversed. All procedures were effective to improve Eq-Eq to different extents, being arbitrary relational responses the key element. These results show generalization between non-arbitrary and arbitrary responses, and add further support to Eq-Eq responding as operant behaviour.