The effect of joint control training on the acquisition and durability of a sequencing task

Abstract

Gutierrez (2006) experimentally demonstrated the effects of joint control and particularly the role of response mediation in the sequencing behavior of adults using an unfamiliar language. The purpose of the current study was to replicate and extend the procedures used by Gutierrez by comparing the effects of joint control training with the effects of a prompt-and-fade procedure on the acquisition of a sequencing task. The effects of each procedure on delayed sequencing behavior were also tested. Ten undergraduate students participated in 2 experiments. The results indicated that all participants acquired the sequencing response in fewer trials and maintained accurate delayed responding when the component responses necessary for joint control were directly taught. Finally, when the self-echoic mediation component was blocked, accurate responding deteriorated in 8 of 10 participants.

Keywords: echoic; joint control; tact; verbal behavior.

Figure 1. Sets of stimuli. Pictures of objects with their Chinese Mandarin names (spelled phonetically). Partially adapted from Gutierrez (2006).

Figure 2. Effects of sequencing training using a prompt-and-fade and joint control procedure on the immediate and delayed sequencing behavior of Participants 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Figure 3. Trials to criterion for the sequencing response during the prompt-and-fade and the joint control training.

Figure 4. Percentage of correct blocked and non-blocked trials from Experiment 1. The blocked and non-blocked phases have a maximum of 6 correct trials possible.

Figure 5. Percentage of correct blocked and non-blocked trials from experiment 2. The blocked and non-blocked phases have a maximum of 6 correct trials possible. A metronome was used with Participants 8, 9, and 10.