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Abstract

This experiment was designed to test implications of all-or-none vs incremental positions on associative learning. These contrasting implications were viewed in terms of the original acquisition of the association, further learning of the association, and acquisition of a new response to the original stimulus. At acquisition an all-or-none theory was favored by (1) chance Pr of correct on Test 2 given incorrect on Test 1, with latencies similar to those of incorrect rather than correct responses, (2) the large decrease in latency during acquisition rather than prior to or after acquisition, (3) latencies on acquisition consistent regardless of trial, (4) similarity of acquisition of reversal Rs to original learning. An incremental theory was supported by (1) proportion of CRs acquired per trial and (2) latency decreases after acquisition. Estes' concept of chance CRs was supported, but the “neutral” test trials were not.

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Associative Learning: All-or-None or Incremental?

Abstract

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References