Learning of interval concepts: I. Effects of differences in stimulus weights.

Abstract

A type of learning task was studied in which a multiple-regression prediction equation defined the relationship between 3 stimuli and a criterion which the S's response attempted to predict. 7 tasks, each having a stimuli-criterion multiple R of unity, differed in the degree of disparity in the distribution of regression weights to stimuli from one extreme where all stimuli had equal weights to the opposite extreme where only 1 stimulus was weighted. In an 8th task none of the stimuli were weighted. 80 undergraduate Ss, 10 per task, were given 150 training trials. The functional relationship between performance and disparity of weights was nonmonotonic. Performance was poorest in tasks with small disparity of weights, slightly better with no disparity of weights, and markedly better with larger disparity of weights. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)