A methodological note on direct tests of the effectiveness of positional cues in serial learning

Abstract In direct tests of the effectiveness of cues that can be ordered conceptually along some dimension such as spatial or ordinal position, S is presented with a test cue and asked to respond with an item from the corresponding position in the serial list. Although it is assumed that S uses onl...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Abstract In direct tests of the effectiveness of cues that can be ordered conceptually along some dimension such as spatial or ordinal position, S is presented with a test cue and asked to respond with an item from the corresponding position in the serial list. Although it is assumed that S uses only the test cue to mediate recall, it is possible that he is able to locate the correct response by covertly reciting and counting a sequence of items from the list. Three groups of 13 Ss were used to show that a recitation confounding can occur, and that it can be eliminated with instructions and a 3 sec response time-limit. The results also showed that the test method is a consistent measuring device over different degrees of acquisition. Ausführliche Beschreibung