Using a new matrix learning task an attempt is made to determine the basis of transfer by observing the effect of using criterion measures at different points in time during the transfer sequence. It was found that for “easy” transfer situations the effect of an independent variable is apparent early in the transfer sequence and on a more “difficult” task the effect of the independent variable is apparent later in the transfer sequence. The effectiveness of the transfer of task approach is discussed within the framework of task difficulty. From these findings some implications for training and some hypotheses concerning the validation of personality tests are suggested.
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