An Example of Transfer in Behaviorism

Most of the graphing material that is learned in Algebra 1 and 2 have 'rules' that can be applied to all mathematics functions.   I have given an example below of how learning the 'rules' for shifting a graph for one function can be transferred to a new function.  Although the equations from the old material to the new material are different, it is the similarities that will help students apply previous knowledge to the new material.  For example, both equations in the second row have a  + 3 at the end and both equations end up getting shifted up 3.

Old Material                           (Transfer)                   New Material

y = x Original Graph     y = x^2   (read as "x squared") Original Graph

y = x + 3 Shift original graph up 3                         y = x^2 + 3     Shift original graph up 3

y = x - 2      Shift original graph down 2       y = x^2 - 2     Shift original graph down 2