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When the stimuli in one perceptual class (A') become related to the stimuli in another perceptual class (B'), the two are functioning as a single "linked perceptual class". A common linked perceptual class would be the sounds of a person's voice (class A') and the pictures of that person (class B'). Such classes are ubiquitous in real world settings. We describe the effects of a variety of training procedures on the formation of these classes. The results could account for the development of naturally occurring linked perceptual classes. Two perceptual classes (A' and B') were formed in Experiment 1. The endpoints of the A' class were called anchor (Aa) and boundary (Ab) stimuli. Likewise, the anchor and boundary stimuli in the B' class were represented as Ba and Bb. In Experiment 2, the A' and B' classes were linked by the establishment of one of four cross-class conditional discriminations: Aa[right arrow]Ba, Aa[right arrow]Bb, Ab[right arrow]Ba, or Ab[right arrow]Bb. Results were greatest after Aa[right arrow]Bb training, intermediate after Aa[right arrow]Ba and Ab[right arrow]Ba training, and lowest after Ab[right arrow]Bb training. Class formation was influenced by the interaction of the anchor/boundary values and the sample/comparison functions of the stimuli used in training. Experiment 3 determined whether class formation was influenced by different sets of two cross-class conditional discriminations: Aa[right arrow]Ba and Ab[right arrow]Bb, or Aa[right arrow]Bb and Ab[right arrow]Ba. Both conditions produced equivalent results. Similarities were attributable to the use of anchor stimuli as samples and boundary stimuli as comparisons in each training condition. Finally, the results after joint Aa[right arrow]Ba and Ab[right arrow]Bb training were much greater than those produced by summing the results of Aa[right arrow]Ba training alone and Ab[right arrow]Bb training alone. This same synergy was not observed after joint Aa[right arrow]Bb and Ab[right arrow]Ba training or either alone. (Contains 6 tables and 4 figures.)

After training conditional discriminations among selected stimuli from two perceptual classes, the emergence of novel relations involving other members of both classes was assessed using cross-class probes. The cross-class probes were presented using one of four different testing schedules. In the 2/9 test, nine different probes were presented in each of two test blocks. In the 6/3 test, three different probes were presented in each of six test blocks. In the 18/1-RND test, each of the 18 cross-class probes was presented in separate test blocks. In the 2/9 and 6/3 tests, the cross-class probes were presented in a randomized order within test block. In the 18/1-RND test, the cross-class probes were presented in a randomized sequence. In the 18/1-PRGM test, however, the cross-class probes were presented in a programmed order (i.e., the values of the stimuli in each cross-class probe were changed systematically in the succession of probe presentations). About 55% of the linked perceptual classes emerged during the 2/9, 6/3, and 18/1-RND tests. Thus the number of different probes in a test block did not influence the emergence of classes as long as the probes were presented in a random order. Virtually all classes emerged during the 18/1-PRGM test. Thus at least one ordered introduction of different cross probes resulted in the reliable emergence of linked perceptual classes. Mechanisms responsible for linked perceptual class formation are discussed along with the relation of these classes to other complex categories. (Contains 5 tables and 10 figures.)

The effects of a variety of training procedures on the formation of common linked perceptual class which includes the sounds of a person's voice (class A) and the pictures of that person (class B) are described. The results of this study are expected to help in the development of naturally occurring linked perceptual classes.

The after training conditional discriminations among selected stimuli from two perceptual classes, the emergence of novel relations involving other members of both classes was assessed using the cross-class probes. The cross-class probes were presented using one of the four different testing schedules, 2/9 test, 6/3 test, 18/1-RND test, and 2/9 and 6/3 tests.

The effects of three variables on the spontaneous categorization of stimuli in perceptually distinct and novel domains are explored. The spontaneous categorization of stimuli in the untrained stimulus domains showed the emergence of a generalized categorization repertoire.

Two new fill-based and satellite-based perceptual classes were induced, as a result of multiple-exemplar training with stimuli. The emergence of linked perceptual classes was evaluated by the performances occasioned by nine cross-class probes that contained fill variants as samples and satellite variants as comparisons.