Rigidity as a function of absolute and relational shifts in the learning of successive discriminations.

Abstract

40 college students divided into 2 equal groups were subjected to a discrimination experiment using wooden blocks as stimuli in a test of the effects of absolute shift and relational shift upon learning of a subsequent discrimination. During original learning the "absolute shift" group had a 2" block positive and a 1" block negative; the "relational shift" group had a 1" block positive and a 2" block negative. Both groups had a .5" block positive and a 1" block negative on the subsequent discrimination. The group making the absolute shift learned the second problem, the other group did not. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)