frames of comparison

The family of comparative relational frames is involved whenever one event is responded to in terms of a quantitative or qualitative relation along a specified dimension with another event. Many specific subtypes of comparison exist (e.g., bigger/smaller, faster/slower, better/worse). Although each subtype may require its own history, the family resemblance may allow the more rapid learning of successive members. The different members of this family of relations are defined in part by the dimensions along which the relation applies (e.g., size; attractiveness; speed). Comparative frames may be made more specific by quantification of the dimension along which a comparative relation is made. For example, the statement "A is twice as fast as B and B is twice as fast as C" allows a precise specification of the relation within all three pairs of elements in the network.