Full metadata
Title
The Impact of Blocked vs. Distributed Category Learning on Subsequent Generalization
Description
It is a well-established finding in memory research that spacing or distributing information, as opposed to blocking all the information together, results in an enhanced memory of the learned material. Recently, researchers have decided to investigate if this spacing effect is also beneficial in category learning. In a set of experiments, Carvalho & Goldstone (2013), demonstrated that a blocked presentation showed an advantage during learning, but that ultimately, the distributed presentation yielded better performance during a post-learning transfer test. However, we have identified a major methodological issue in this study that we believe contaminates the results in a way that leads to an inflation and misrepresentation of learning levels. The present study aimed to correct this issue and re-examine whether a blocked or distributed presentation enhances the learning and subsequent generalization of categories. We also introduced two shaping variables, category size and distortion level at transfer, in addition to the mode of presentation (blocked versus distributed). Results showed no significant differences of mode of presentation at either the learning or transfer phases, thus supporting our concern about the previous study. Additional findings showed benefits in learning categories with a greater category size, as well as higher classification accuracy of novel stimuli at lower-distortion levels.
Date Created
2017-12
Contributors
- Jacoby, Victoria Leigh (Author)
- Homa, Donald (Thesis director)
- Brewer, Gene (Committee member)
- Davis, Mary (Committee member)
- Department of Psychology (Contributor)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
28 pages
Language
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Series
Academic Year 2017-2018
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.45998
Level of coding
minimal
Cataloging Standards
System Created
- 2017-12-08 11:00:02
System Modified
- 2021-08-11 04:09:57
- 2 years 8 months ago
Additional Formats