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A statistical description of verbal learning

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Abstract

Free-recall verbal learning is analyzed in terms of a probability model. The general theory assumes that the probability of recalling a word on any trial is completely determined by the number of times the word has been recalled on previous trials. Three particular cases of this general theory are examined. In these three cases, specific restrictions are placed upon the relation between probability of recall and number of previous recalls. The application of these special cases to typical experimental data is illustrated. An interpretation of the model in terms of set theory is suggested but is not essential to the argument.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

    George A. Miller & William J. McGill

Authors
  1. George A. Miller
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  2. William J. McGill
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Additional information

This research was facilitated by the authors' membership in the Inter-University Summer seminar of the Social Science Research Council, entitled Mathematical Models for Behavior Theory, held at Tufts College, June 28–August 24, 1951. The authors are especially grateful to Dr. F. Mosteller for advice and criticism that proved helpful on many different occasions.

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Miller, G.A., McGill, W.J. A statistical description of verbal learning. Psychometrika 17, 369–396 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02288914

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02288914

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