AUDITORY DISCRIMINATION LEARNING - PROTOTYPE STORAGE AND DISTINCTIVE FEATURES DETECTION MECHANISMS

The relative contributions of prototype storage and distinctive features detection mechanisms hypothesized to be operating in successive discrimination learning were assessed by the extent of negative transfer between auditory discrimination tasks. The results indicated that both mechanisms were involved, but that prototype storage was the dominant process. This outcome is compared with previous research on tactual and visual discrimination learning. Experimental variables are suggested that might control which mechanism predominates. © 1969 Psychonomic Society, Inc.