Learning as a Function of Meaning Levels with American and German S s

Abstract

An American and a German sample of Ss were required to learn to a criterion of 2 successive trials without error a list of 10 ordinary words and a list of 10 0% association value syllables. Both groups first learned unknown nonsense syllables, then syllables with which they were familiarized, and then syllables which were made meaningful in a “synonym-definition” sense (e.g., TOV means grass). The results indicated that meaning operationally employed in a “synonym-definition” sense was a significant aid when learning syllables in order was not required; performance equalled that with words. In addition, protocols were obtained from all Ss in all phases, and these data made possible a clearer interpretation of the performance data.

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