Training structures of equivalence classes and their influence on the priming effect

Abstract

Semantic priming studies conducted with stimuli related through equivalence class training with different training structure has not been investigated yet. The aim of this work was to find out whether inter-group differences would be found during a semantic-priming task with stimuli related through equivalence depending on the training structure employed. 42 subjects were divided into three groups. All of them received training in three three-member equivalences classes, each with a different training structure: LS, OTM and MTO. Afterwards, all of them performed a semantic-priming task where trained and derived relations were tested. Inter-group differences were observed in the percentage of correct responses and in reaction times during the priming task, being the former lower and the latter higher for unrelated stimuli in the linear-series structure. Training structure is postulated as a possible factor which modulates the performance of subjects during lexical tasks.