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Learning how to learn: The significance and current status of learning set formation

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Abstract

In honor of the memory ofHarry F. Harlow, this paper reviews the current status of learning set formation, the discovery of which represents one ofHarlow's major contributions to behavioral science. Learning set formation or “learning how to learn” refers to the learning of visual and other types of discrimination problems progressively more quickly as a function of training on a series of such problems. The general procedure thatHarlow used, his original learning set finding, and its significance are described first. A brief review of theories of learning set formation follows. Lastly, the attempt to use learning set formation as a tool for studying comparative behavior is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Brown University, 02912, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

    Allan M. Schrier

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  1. Allan M. Schrier
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Additional information

This article is based on a paper by the author delivered at:A. M. Schrier andS. J. Suomi (cochairs),Primate Behavior: A Symposium in Memory of Harry F. Harlow. Symposium presented at the IXth Congress of the International Primatological Society, Atlanta, Georgia, August 1982.

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Schrier, A.M. Learning how to learn: The significance and current status of learning set formation. Primates 25, 95–102 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02382299

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02382299

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