The purpose of this study was to gather evidence relative to the proposition that matching (recognition) performance for A-B pairs following an unlearning paradigm cannot be used to infer associative loss. The alternative was to assume that matching performance is based on frequency information which is independent of associative information. The…

Three experiments examined the role of contingent associations in learning double-function, verbal-discrimination lists. Some 15-pair lists were constructed of category instances in such a way that the learning of three contingent associations based on category names would mediate correct performance for all 15 pairs. The first experiment gave no…

Article supports a duoprocess theory of concept identification which assumes semi-independent and sequential dimension selection and paired-associate learning. (Author)

The data from verbal learning studies have been partially instrumental in the development of the theory of extraversion-introversion (E-I) relative to levels of cortical arousal. In most of the studies relating E-I to verbal learning, the approach was to determine if there was an overall superiority for one of the personality groups. Differences…

Three experiments tested the generality of the conclusion that associative unlearning is minimal in the A-B, A-D paradigm. In Experiment 1, single-trial study of A-D, following single-trial study of A-B, did not produce retroactive inhibition in the recognition of A-B. In Experiment 2, A-B was acquired by associative matching. The interpolated…

Article reports to give support to the acquistion hypothesis that holds that some attribute of the stimulus is acquired by the response associated with it. (Author/ML)

The concepts in a hierarchically structured list consisting of 24 number-word pairs were aligned systematically with position and numbers, or with the number stimuli only. Some lists involved an alignment appropriate to only the lowest conceptual level. Other lists were completely unstructured when viewed in terms of either position or number. The…

This paper reports on three separate experiments conducted to examine the roles of particular task and subject characteristics in noun pair learning. In all three studies noun pairs were presented either in noun-verb-noun-conjunction-pronoun (NVNCP) or noun-conjunction-noun-verb-pronoun (NCNVP) contexts. In experiment 1, learning was assessed…

Concludes that locus of choice is a powerful variable if properly manipulated, and that choosing only three responses in a 12-item list elevates performance to a level near that of a 12-item list in which all responses are chosen. (DS)

Part of a doctoral dissertation submitted at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. (DS)

The development of learning theory and its application to computer-assisted instruction (CAI) are described. Among the early theoretical constructs thought to be important are E. L. Thorndike's concept of learning connectisms, Neal Miller's theory of motivation, and B. F. Skinner's theory of operant conditioning. Early devices incorporating those…

The problem of structuring sequences of instructional stimuli such that learning is optimized is modelled as a sequential decision problem with an imbedded mathematical model of learning providing a criterion function. Three types of optimization methods for such a representation are investigated for the specific case of paired-associate learning…

Research was undertaken to establish guidelines for applying programed instruction to training courses in which rules and principles must be learned. The research vehicle was a portion of a course using automated instruction to teach computer programing. The effects of various factors on helping the students remember and apply the instruction were…

This booklet surveys all the research studies (approx. 205), undertaken at ETS from July 1968 through June 1969. It offers research results to interested, nonresearch professional readers, and supplements more formal reports for professionals interested in research processes as well. Four major themes in the ETS research program are emphasized:…