Abstract
One hundred and eight Ss gave verbal associates to 68 words presented via a memory drum. Association time (AT) was recorded and the associates were scaled for commonality (C). A week later, 40 of the Ss were presented the same verbal stimuli to determine the probability of occurrence of an identical associate (IA). The results supported two versions of Marbe’s Law: (a) Words to which common responses are given are responded to quickly (a within-S relationship). (b) Ss who respond with common associates respond quickly (an across-S relationship). Strong correlations were found between C and IA, both within and across Ss, and between AT and IA within Ss; a weaker correlation was found between IA and AT across Ss.
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1. This research was supported in part by a Research Grant to the first author from the San Fernando Valley State College Foundation and by a Faculty Research Award to the third author from the San Diego State College Foundation. The authors are indebted to David Parker for assistance in the construction of the apparatus.
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Brotsky, S.J., Butler, D.C. & Linton, M.L. Association time, commonality, and the test-retest reliability of free association responses. Psychon Sci 9, 319–320 (1967). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327825
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327825