The Use of Criterional Measures

Abstract

Using paired-associate learning tasks of different difficulty level, it is shown that independent variables such as task order are more or less effective depending upon when the criterional measures are taken and the level of the criterion used. Similarly, the time of measurement and level of difficulty of the criterion are related to whether or not we find an effect of what is called “drive” in learning situations. An attempt is made to show how this approach may be useful in interpreting the meaning of independent variables.