A CODED ELEMENT MODEL OF PERCEPTUAL PROCESSING OF SEQUENTIAL STIMULI

Developed a parameter-free model of how 35 undergraduates perceptually processed sequential patterns of binary and trinary events. Emphasis is on repeating and short, nonrepeating patterns. The model's major characteristics are: (1) coding of the pattern into a hierarchy of larger and fewer elements until the pattern itself is the final coded element; and (2) evaluation of the information associated with the coded elements using W. R. Garner's multivariate uncertainty analysis. The total uncertainty of the coded elements of a pattern, called Hcode, is defined as the pattern's complexity. Hcode values of a large variety of binary and trinary patterns are used to predict such response indexes as: accuracy of pattern recall, mean number of words to describe a pattern, and judged pattern complexity. Typical correlations ranged from .90-.95. Some deviations from the predictions that imply changes or additions to the model are discussed. (17 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.