LATENCY-CHOICE DISCREPANCY IN CONCEPT LEARNING

During concept learning, the probability of the correct response shifts abruptly from .5-1 around the trial of last error (see G. Bower & T. Trabasso, 39:3). This shift has been effectively treated by a theory of discontinuous processes. Latency measures, show a gradual decrease during the criterion run of correct responding. The gradual decrease can be explained by assuming that S is monitoring a set of hypotheses (Hs) and is narrowing the set down until only the correct H remains. An implication of this view, that the latencies will be constant from the point at which S holds only the correct H, was verified with 32 undergraduates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.