Abstract
The cluster hypothesis of serial learning was investigated with a two-test design. Test 1 (paced anticipation) measured acquisition. Test 2 presented a cluster of two adjacent items from the serial list and S tried to supply the immediately succeeding item. If out of all the serial order cues available to S during acquisition, he used only a cluster of items as a cue, then performance should be the same on both tests. One hundred and fifty-six Ss were tested after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 trials of practice with a 13-word list of highly meaningful words. Performance on the two tests was the same for most of the serial items at each level of practice. The cluster hypothesis was supported statistically for the entire list on the 12-, 15-, and 18-trial tests.
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References
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Heslip, J.R. A test of the cluster hypothesis of serial learning. Psychon Sci 14, 273–274 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329119
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329119