THE VERBAL TRANSFORMATION EFFECT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE VERBAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF PHONETICALLY TRAINED AND NON-PHONETICALLY TRAINED SUBJECTS

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there are differences between phonetically trained and non-phonetically trained subjects in terms of their reported verbal transformations. A total of seven auditory stimuli, representing variations in meaningfulness and phonetic complexity, were presented to 28 phonetically trained and 28 non-phonetically trained listeners. Results indicate that there are both similarities and differences between the two groups. The differences that exist are quantitative, and not qualitative, in nature. The phonetically trained group reported more forms and transitions, and required fewer repetitions of the stimulus prior to their first verbal transformations, than the non-phonetically trained subjects. However, both groups reported the same types of transformations and, in many instances, identical forms as well.