Retention of probabilistic cue-criterion relations as a function of cue validity and retention interval.

Abstract

Studied retention of a probabilistic cue-criterion task with scaled cue and criterion variables in a 3 * 2 factorial experiment with 3 levels of cue validity; .45, .70, and .90; and 2 retention intervals, immediately after the completion of the learning stage, and 1 wk. later. The retention tests were performed without feedback with 54 undergraduates. Response consistency was higher in the retention tests than in the learning stage, due to (a) an increase in extremeness of Ss' predictions, and (b) a decrease in the variability in their response systems. There was no change in the Ss' behavior over the 1-wk interval. The increase in consistency in the retention tests is interpreted to be an effect of the omission of feedback, rather than of forgetting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)