Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

9-15-1972

Abstract

The effects of category label (positiveness or negativeness) and category composition (differences in the stimuli composing each category) were investigated in two experiments with concepts which were previously deemed most likely to yield a persistent advantage to positive instances. Category label effects were separated from category composition effects by using pairs of complementary concepts and requiring Ss to solve with only positive instances or only negative instances. Results showed that category composition was a more important determiner of performance than was category label. The relatively weak category label effects which were obtained were limited to specific conditions of category composition. Several factors which could account for the effectiveness of category composition were discussed in light of the data.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Peder Jack Johnson

Second Committee Member

Thomas Patrick Friden

Third Committee Member

Richard Jerome Harris

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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