Negative set effects in character classification: A response-retrieval view of reaction time

In most current accounts of character classification, emphasis is laid on the role of the positive set. Reanalysis of a previous experiment (Marcel, 1970) showed that in the constant set procedure, as well as the varied set procedure, when consecutive sets of digits are used, latency to negative probes depends on remoteness from the positive set boundary, except when the positive set consists of only one item. Two further experiments showed that in both the constant-and varied-set procedures, latency to individual negative probes decreased with their frequency, except with positive sets of one item. These data indicate that negatives are not usually classified as such merely by default. Some alternative models to Sternberg's are discussed. It is proposed that when he is able to (always with one-item positive sets) the subject will perform a physical match. Otherwise the probe will access its location in long-term memory, associated with which is appropriate response information. The ease of recovery of that information is emphasized as responsible for variation in latencies.