Abstract
Previous research has shown that performance differences among items of serial anticipation tasks can be predicted quite well if the rated ease of learning each item, with that of its context of neighboring list members, are considered. To extend the generality of these former findings, predictor values were simplified in the present experiments. Extremely easy and difficult consonant vowel consonant (CVC) trigrams, arranged in double or triple alternation sequences, were learned by the anticipation method (continuous serial learning). Results showed extremely stable effects of item difficulty that were predicted very well despite simplification of predictors. It was suggested that the reliable carryover effects and consensus in cue selection indicated the nature of organizational processes—use of inhomogeneities as anchor points—that underlie serial learning.
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A version of this report was presented at the annual convention of Western Psychological Assocation, April 27–30, 1983 in San Francisco.
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Lippman, L.G. Transitions in Item Difficulty as Sources of Organization in Serial Learning. Psychol Rec 34, 353–362 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394879
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394879