Common coding in symbolic matching tasks with humans: Training with a common consequence or antecedent

The present experiments explored the importance of training with a common a ntecedent or consequence for common coding in symbolic matching-to-sample t asks with human subjects using reversal and transfer tests. Experiment 1 as sessed common coding following training in many-to-one (MTO) and one-to-man y (OTM) symbolic matching-to-sample tasks by comparing learning of partial and total reversals of these contingencies. Experiment 2 assessed common co ding in MTO and OTM tasks by comparing performances in transfer tests when the common coding relations in the transfer phase were either consistent or inconsistent with those present during initial training. Evidence for comm on coding in the MTO and OTM discriminations was obtained in both experimen ts, although the amount of common coding was greater in the MTO discriminat ion in Experiment 1. Those data are discussed in terms of associative media tional approaches to common coding phenomena. It is suggested that a basic requirement of an associative theory is that common coding should be more l ikely to occur when the stimuli are trained with a common consequence than when they are trained with a common antecedent, and that this requirement h as been at least partly satisfied in the present studies.