Two experiments demonstrated that a priori expectations and context increase the benefit gained from a preview of a word in parafoveal vision. Subjects named visually presented words preceded by a "preview" stimulus with and without constraints. Subjects combine two sources of information so as to derive a benefit. (Author/RD)

Earlier research with the lexical decision task led to the hypothesis that semantic context facilitates the encoding of words related to the context. Six experiments which employed different tasks (e.g., making a lexical decision) and different experimental paradigms (e.g., tachistoscopic exposures with masking stimuli) further investigated this…

A new technique for determining children's subjective organization of speech is described. The technique required subjects to memorize a target sentence, and then to respond with the second next word when the sentence was interrupted by the sound of a tone. (MP)

Reaction time to detect a phoneme target in a sentence was faster when the target-containing word formed part of the semantic focus of the sentence. Sentence understanding was facilitated by rapid identification of focused information. Active search for accented words can be interpreted as a search for semantic focus. (Author/RD)

Information processing was measured in terms of reaction time and movement time to stimulus displays which differed in amount of information transmitted. Only reaction time increased as a linear function of number of bits in the stimulus display. Both show individual differences which significantly correlated with intelligence. (Author/RD)

Retention and transfer of motor tasks was greater for high interference (random) acquisition groups than for low interference (blocked) acquisition groups. This effect was most notable when transfer was measured for the transfer task of greatest complexity. Results support Battig's conceptualization of contextual interference effects on retention…

Subjects named or categorized a picture preceded sometime earlier by itself or by its verbal label, as well as a word preceded by itself or a pictorial counterpart. Pictures clearly profited more when the task was naming, whereas words profited more when subjects performed a categorization task. (Author/GDC)

A target paragraph was embedded in one passage where the target was of major importance, and one where it was of minor importance. Free recall, reading time, and usage of cognitive capacity were measured. There was greater recall when the target was important. The selective-attention hypothesis was not supported. (Author/GDC)

The spread of encoding concept was tested visually by having subjects view pictures which varied in contour completeness. The hypothesis was supported that as contour completeness decreased, the amount of perceptual analysis and memory performance would increase. (Author/MH)

A reaction time paradigm was used to investigate developmental differences in ability to rotate and compare imaginal representations. Subjects were 16 children from the third and fifth grades, and eight college students. (Author/MP)

Separate experiments focusing on attention to multiple stimuli, psychological refractory period, and motor coordination demonstrated that emergent aspects of the whole situation must also be considered. Performance under divided attention reflected an interaction between resource limitation, single task processes, and emergent aspects of the whole…

Used Visual Expectation Paradigm to describe information processing changes and individual differences during first year of life. Found regular age changes in mean reaction time and variability but not in minimum reaction time, suggesting that growth rate of sensory-detection information is constant during first year but age changes occur in level…

Speculates on underlying processes for the reaction time variance and age differences in anticipation latency using the Visual Expectation Paradigm. Discusses the dichotomization of reactive and anticipatory behavior, limitations of longitudinal designs, drawbacks in using standard procedures and materials, and inferences that can be made…

Suggested that strategy choices for solving addition problems were related to numerical and spatial ability domains, while the speed of executing the component process of fact retrieval was related to arithmetic ability only. Findings supported the convergent validity of the strategy choice model and its discriminant validity. (RH)

A microcomputer program providing extensive and constantly changing practice with 35 irregular French verbs in 6 tenses is described. The program's objectives are to establish lateral associations between tense forms, provide continuous opportunity for recall, and shorten correct response time. (Author/MSE)