Spacing effects in picture memory

Three experiments were conducted to capitalize on the conclusion of Shaffer and Shiffrin (1972) that complex visual scenes are not rehearsed in testing the hypothesis that the effect of spacing on memory is due to rehearsal. In Experiment I, a list of vacation slides was presented in which both the number of repetitions and the spacing of repetitions were varied. Subsequent frequency judgments showed an effect of spacing much like that found using verbal materials. In Experiments II and III, effects of filled and unfilled spacing intervals were compared, and it was concluded that the spacing effect is primarily a function of the duration of the spacing interval. No evidence was found to support the notion that pictures are rehearsed. Rehearsal apparently cannot play the key role in an adequate, completely general explanation of the spacing effect.     

Semantic and associative factors in probability learning with words

Using a probability-learning technique with a single word as the cue and with the probability of a given event following this word fixed at .80, it was found (1) that neither high nor low associates to the original word and (2) that neither synonyms nor antonyms showed differential learning curves subsequent to original learning when the probability for the following event was shifted to .20. In a second study when feedback, in the form of knowledge of results, was withheld, there was a clear-cut similarity of predictions to the originally trained word and the synonyms of both high and low association value and a dissimilarity of these words to a set of antonyms of both high and low association value. Two additional studies confirmed the importance of the semantic dimension as compared with association value as traditionally measured.     

Mechanisms of aural encoding: VIII. Phonetic interference and context-sensitive coding in short-term memory

In previous experiments Ss were presented for ordered recall with sequences of five consonant phonemes paired with /a/ in which the middle three consonant phonemes shared the same manner of articulation (voiced, unvoiced, nasal), the same place of articulation (front, middle, back), or neither the same manner nor place of articulation (control sequences). Compared to performance in control sequences, the middle consonant phoneme was always more difficult to recall in manner of articulation sequences but not in place of articulation sequences. The results suggested that for these sequences consonant phonemes were not remembered in terms of their place of articulation. In the present experiment, sequences of consonant-vowel (CV) or vowel-consonant (VC) syllables were presented for recall in which each consonant phoneme was paired with a different vowel. When consonant phonemes in the different sequence types were presented for recall with different vowels, phonetic interference was observed for the middle consonant in place of articulation sequences as well as manner of articulation sequences, and the effect was observed in both CV and VC groups. It was suggested that vowels are encoded in short-term memory in terms of their place of articulation and that presenting consonant phonemes for recall with different vowels caused Ss to use this dimension to code consonant phonemes in short-term memory.     

Integration of a Hewlett-Packard minicomputer with digital-logic controlled behavioral laboratories

A Hewlett-Packard on-line minicomputer controller for a new primate laboratory was integrated with existing equipment in digital-logic controlled rat and pigeon laboratories so as to maximize the utility of the separate systems.     

Software management of timing in computer-controlled on-line experiments

Some uses of clocks by programming systems which control on-line experiments contain dangers of inaccuracy and variability in the times between events. The reasons for these dangers are discussed, and an alternative approach to the problem of timing is outlined. A sample of current systems is reviewed with regard to approaches to timing, and five questions for users to ask of potential designers or suppliers of on-line programming systems are suggested in light of the considerations raised.     

On insirumental response interaction as explaining the influences of Pavlovian CSs upon avoidance behavior

The finding that Pavlovian signals for food or shock influence avoidance responding might be explained either by interaction of conditioned central mediational states or interaction of learned instrumental responses. Using three groups of dogs, the two hypotheses were pited one against the other in a three-stage transfer-of-control experiment. In the initial conditioning phase, tones were established as signals for food, shock, or neither; additionally the tones also cued a common instrumental response. Following avoidance training, the tone was tested for its influence upon avoidance. If the lone had signaled food, avoidance was suppressed; if shock, avoidance was facilitated; if neither, avoidance was unaffected. This was interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that interaction of central states mediates the transfer-of-control.     

Life History Correlates Of a Career Commitment To School Counseling

This study sought to explore the use of the scored life history as a predictive index of a career commitment to school counseling. Hypotheses concerning the relationship between life history data and a career commitment to teaching and administration were also investigated. Multiple regression analysis was used to obtain validity coefficients estimating the relationship between weighted linear combinations of life history data and the career commitment criteria. The regression weights obtained for the most promising biographical predictors were used to predict current occupational titles for a cross-validation sample. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that selected and empirically weighted life history materials are valid indices of counselor career commitment. For practical purposes, life history data for teaching and administration demonstrated a lack of consistent predictive power. The content of the most promising predictors for the three occupational groups was logically examined.