The relative reliability of words and nonsense syllables as learning material.

Abstract

Nonsense syllables show greater variability than words as "learning" material with unpracticed S's and less variability if the S's are trained. A relatively small amount of training is needed for this attainment. Economy of effort is the only reason for using the syllables, and the writer concludes that Ebbinghaus' assumptions as to the utility of the syllables in "memory" experiments are "justified neither in fact nor in theory." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)