Abstract
The present study attempts to specify some of the conditions under which parallel and serial processing may occur. The three variables studied were (1) type of task, (2) relative set for speed vs accuracy, and (3) practice. Pairs of multidimensional, geometric stimuli were presented either simultaneously or successively to S who was required to indicate whether they were the same or different. Each S participated in nine sessions. For half of the Ss speed was emphasized, and for the other half accuracy was emphasized. The results indicated that: (1) responses were faster with successive presentation than with simultaneous presentation; (2) with successive presentation, processing was serial; (3) in the simultaneous presentation condition, a gradual shift from serial to parallel processing occurred with practice; and (4) the speed and accuracy instructions used in this experiment produced no differential effects on latency or errors.
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This report is based on a dissertation submitted to the graduate school, The Johns Hopkins University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD degree, while the author held a National Defense Education Act graduate fellowship. The author gratefully acknowledges the guidance provided by Howard E. Egeth, her dissertation adviser, and by Julian C. Stanley and the assistance of William Hamilton, William T. Green, and Nelson Bingham. This research was also supported in part by a grant from the Office of Education to Dr. Howard E. Egeth.
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Grill, D.P. Variables influencing the mode of processing of complex stimuli. Perception & Psychophysics 10, 51–57 (1971). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205768
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205768