Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

5-22-1969

Abstract

Conceptual and nonconceptual bases for responding in acquisition in a concept identification task were assessed for individual 4-0 to 5-0 and 5-6 to 6-6 year old Ss by either interspersing nonoutcome stimuli with outcome stimuli during acquisition or by presenting them after acquisition. The interspersed nonoutcome trial (NCT) condition was followed by a reversal shift. Geometric stimuli were used to compose three stimulus conditions varying on intratask stimulus similarity (3 or 4 stimulus dimensions) and number of stimuli (8 or 16). Interspersing NCTs did not significantly impair performance or alter the proportion of conceptual to nonconceptual solvers. Classification of solution type by NCTs showed conceptual solution to be a necessary but not a sufficient conditoin for a rapid reversal shift and that some subjects less than six years of age are capable of conceptual types of solution. The predictions that increasing stimulus similarity and increasing number of stimuli would lead to higher proportions of conceptual to nonconceptual solvers were not confirmed.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Peder Jack Johnson

Second Committee Member

Britton Kenneth Ruebush

Third Committee Member

David Wilmot Bessemer

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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