Establishing equivalence classes with match-to-sample format and simultaneous-discrimination format conditional discrimination tasks

This study compared standard stimulus equivalence training and testing in t he match-to-sample format to a simultaneous-discrimination format. Experime nt 1 compared the formats between groups in both adults and 5-year-old chil dren. There were no differences on symmetry tests, There was a difference b etween children and adults on a one-node equivalence test. Results were pos itive for all of the adults in the match-to-sample and simple-discriminatio n formats. Results were positive for all children in the match-to-sample fo rmat, but for only half of them in the simple-discrimination format. Transf er tests for discriminative control were conducted with participants who ha d positive equivalence test results. Transfer was less reliable in children than in adults, but there were no differences between formats. Experiment 2 replicated the results with children in a within-subject design.