Abstract
Eight stimulus words were constructed by using all combinations of two different first, middle, and last letters. Number of single digit responses were varied (2, 4 vs 8). Within the 2- and 4-response conditions, locus of response assignment was manipulated so that words sharing letters within particular ordinal positions also shared responses. Each S learned a single list. On the basis of data suggesting that initial, final, and then medial ordinal positions represent, in this order, the most critical determinants of word processing, it was predicted that ease of acquisition for the locus of response assignment conditions would also reflect this ordering. However, acquisition was easiest when identical responses were assigned to words having identical first letters, next with middle-letter assignment, and most difficult with third-letter assignment.
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This research was supported by the University of South Florida Research Council and by a grant (MH 16360-01) to the first author from the National Institute of Mental Health.
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Nelson, D.L., Bercov, S. & Leslie, L. Ordinal positions of letters within words as concepts: Effect of assigning identical responses to words sharing letters in various ordinal positions. Psychon Sci 18, 201–202 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335736
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335736