The role of choice in learning as a function of meaning and between- and within-subjects designs.

Abstract

Examined the effect of giving Ss the opportunity to choose learning materials in a paired-associate paradigm. 4 studies using high- and low-meaning materials and employing between- and within-Ss designs were conducted with 40 undergraduates in the 1st 2 and 21 Ss in the others. Use of a between-Ss design showed that A-B learning was facilitated by choice with high-meaning but not low-meaning materials. Using a within-Ss design in which Ss chose 5 stimulus-response (S-R) pairs and were forced to learn 5 others, results show performance on the forced pairs was elevated to the level of the choice pairs. These data suggest that allowing Ss the opportunity to choose at least some S-R pairs generally facilitates performance through the operation of a proposed motivational mechanism which may also benefit learning of nonchosen S-R pairs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)