This report summarizes research concerning stimulus analyzing mechanisms, giving the main experimental findings and theoretical developments. Most of the data and the experimental findings are to be found in the 89 publications listed in the bibliography. The research is discussed under five main headings: (1) shape recognition, (2) selective…

An experimental program was conducted to develop effective methods for producing and utilizing filmed demonstrations and instructional manuals. Four variations on conventional filmed demonstrations were evaluated: 1) revising an Army film through repeated tryouts with novices, 2) stopping the projector after each step is demonstrated to allow…

Two studies were done to examine aggressive behavior in humans. In Experiment One, adults working on a plunger pulling task could receive a 3.5 ma shock at 75% probability every two minutes. The shock was unrelated to their plunger pulling behavior. Subjects could press a toggle switch to deliver electric shock to the experimenter, who was in the…

This study explored the effects of visual (vertical and horizontal) and oral presentation modes upon simple mathematical computations (addition, subtraction, and multiplication). Seventy-two undergraduate education majors were employed as subjects. The placement of the process sign (left, middle, right) and whether a one or two digit number…

Research on massed practice (MP) and distributed practice effects to preschool children in free recall tasks is reported. A total of 40 kindergarten children were randomly assigned to High Frequency and Low Frequency word groups. No significant differences were found between the two groups on the dimensions of IQ and age. Lists of 32 high…

This document reports on a series of visual scanning studies done with Israeli preschoolers and kindergartners to resolve issues related to diagnostic test and instructional materials design. The first study assessed the effect of item content on error rate. Three multiple-choice tests, differing only in item content, were given to 38…

The multiple image presentation format investigated in this research review refers in most cases to the use of more than one image, with or without audio synchronization, on a single screen or multiple screens, with slides or any appropriate media mix to accomplish a predetermined learning task. Studies reviewed are divided into three categories:…

The efficacy of gating in the processing of simple, multidimensional stimuli was investigated. In Experiment 1, a continuous classification task was used, with subjects sorting cards according to binary dimensions of line orientation and location. Results suggested that orientation and location are integral dimensions, facilitation occurring with…

Children in grades 1 and 4 and adults were given instruction to image or to verbalize a sentence in order to study a stimulus provided aurally. Both types of instruction enhanced memory, but results indicate the greater requirements for subject-generated mediation to some degree penalized younger subjects and benefited older ones. (GO)

Three experiments are reported regarding reaction time. Letter comparison time was found to increase when other irrelevant letters were present, regardless of whether or not the letters made up a word or a word-like configuration. Word comparison time was found to increase when distractors were similar to targets. (Author/RM)

The author compares the aggressiveness of individuals who had a nonaggressive alternative available with those who did not, and assesses the interaction of the presence or absence of the nonaggressive response alternative with the opponent's pattern of attack. Results are discussed in terms of attribution and locus of control. (Author/RK)

Examines color selection by second- and third-grade children and college students following exposure to happy and sad pictures. Similar color selection was found for both groups. (BD)

Evaluates possible differences in the cognitive representations of semantic categories between children and adults independent of spontaneous memory skills. Response latencies on a classification task were compared for second, fourth, and sixth grades and college students. (Author/MP)

Results of the experiment show that the generality or specificity of the verbal lable determines which of six versions of the drawings are accepted as formerly seen and which are not, and that the pattern of acceptance for the unlabeled parts corresponds to that of the labeled ones. (Author/RM)