Training and testing for a transformation of fear and avoidance functions via combinatorial entailment using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP): Further exploratory analyses.

Experiment 1 of the current research attempted to establish fear and avoidance functions for arbitrary stimuli via combinatorial entailment using training and testing versions of the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP). The critical tests for the transformation of functions involved exposure to two separate Test-IRAPs (one for fear and one for avoidance), but both failed to yield any evidence for the transformation of functions. The findings of Experiment 1 contrast with the clear evidence of a transformation of functions via mutually entailed relations that was reported by Leech et al.

Training and testing for a transformation of fear and avoidance functions using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure: The first study.

Experiment 1 aimed to establish "fearful" and "pleasant" functions for arbitrary stimuli (geometric shapes) by relating those stimuli to pictures of spiders and pets using a training version of the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP). The transformation of these functions for the arbitrary stimuli was assessed by exposing participants to a 'traditional' version of the IRAP, the Fear-IRAP employed by Leech et al. (2016, 2017).