Shows that pretraining affects cue selection and produces integration of the stimulus without affecting paired associate learning. Suggests that these findings might help to improve selection strategies of younger children in paired associate learning. (RL)

Evaluates the efficacy of two training procedures for eliminating selective stimulus control observed with three trainable mentally retarded children. In another experiment, improvements in stimulus control were not a function of varying degrees of difficulty between stimulus sets or of a prior history of discrimination training with the less…

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)

Schema theory, an area of educational research within perceptual learning theory, is divided into five major subtopics: (1) explanation, development, and background; (2) theoretical approaches; (3) pattern classification; (4) pattern quantification; and (5) quantified pattern feature approach (which attempts to combine classification and…

Frequency measures were based on the first 30 minutes of audiotaped interviews with clients, taken at the end of prepracticum, during practicum, and at least three months after training. Data indicate males make more responses overall than do females. Training of specific skills is affirmed. (Author)

Shows, with examples of application, how pattern drills can be varied to fit various levels of difficulty. Variations in exercise technique according to the difficulty level can be realized quantitatively by changes in the stimulus and/or response, and qualitatively by variation of material (vocabulary and structures). (Text is in German.)…

Examined fourth and fifth graders' reactions to completing group-administered, positive and negative peer nomination techniques. Found that no child reported having hurt feelings or knowing of anyone else having hurt feelings. Determined that the condition of minimal risk of harm, harm not greater than children might encounter in daily life, was…

Reports on three experiments that do the following: 1) investigate the motivational and reinforcing structure underlying male sex role action in a three-person (a female and two males) exchange; and 2) contribute new information on females' interpersonal evaluation of males expressing masculine sex typed and androgynous sex role orientation. (MW)

Examined the effects of perceived control and close alternative outcomes on counterfactual generation (thoughts of what could have been). Subjects played a "wheel of fortune" game in which they controlled one of two wheels. Results supported the idea that people generate counterfactuals about events over which they have perceived…

Examined impact of outcome controllability on counterfactual thoughts (thoughts of what could have been). Two studies showed that outcome controllability affected counterfactual direction: thoughts on how things could have been better were more frequent following controllable outcomes, and thoughts on how things could have been worse followed…

Michael (1975) reviewed efforts to classify reinforcing events in terms of whether stimuli are added (positive reinforcement) or removed (negative reinforcement). He concluded that distinctions in these terms are confusing and ambiguous. Of necessity, adding a stimulus requires its previous absence and removing a stimulus its previous presence.…

Two adaptive psychophysical procedures (tracking and "yes-no" staircase) for obtaining human visual contrast sensitivity functions (CSF) were evaluated. The procedures were chosen based on their proven validity and the desire to evaluate the practical effects of stimulus transients, since tracking procedures traditionally employ gradual…

Visual acuity as a function of target position and density was measured in a letter recognition task. A homogeneous pattern of equally-spaced elements was tachistoscopically exposed, where the target was never located at the boundaries of the pattern. The target was marked with a spatial cue to control attentional processes. With such a spatial…