Dienes and Altmann argue that an untrained control group provides a reliable baseline to measure artificial grammar learning. In this reply, we first provide a fictitious example to demonstrate that this assessment is faulty. We then analyse why this assessment is wrong, and we reiterate the solution proposed in Reber and Perruchet (this issue) for a proper control. Finally, we point out the importance of these methodological principles in the context of implicit learning studies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
DienesZ.AltmannG. (1997). Transfer of implicit knowledge across domains? How implicit and how abstract?.How implicit is implicit learning?.BerryD.Oxford: Oxford University Press107–123.
2.
ProkasyW. F.KumpferK. L. (1973). Classical conditioning.Electrodermal activity in psychological research.ProkasyW. F.RaskinD. C.New York: Academic Press.
3.
RedingtonM.ChaterN. (1996). Transfer in artificial grammar learning: A reevaluation.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General125, 123–138.
4.
SchwarzN. (1994). Judgment in a social context: Biases, shortcomings, and the logic of conversation.Advances in experimental social psychology.ZannaM.San Diego, CA: Academic PressVol. 26, 123–162.
5.
WhittleseaB. W. A.WrightR. L. (1997). Implicit (and explicit) learning: Acting adaptively without knowing the consequences.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition23, 181–200.