20 Ss learned a 720-item paired-associate list by the progressive parts method, using a self-paced procedure. The items simulated those of a mail-distribution scheme learned by mail sorters. The stimuli were verbal and/or numerical while all responses were two-digit numbers. Learning was carried to 95% criterion. The mean time required to learn 20 new items each session showed a definite learning-to-learn effect over the 36 sessions. The cumulative total study time was a perfect linear function of the number of items learned. Thus, the mean total time required to learn each item (102 sec.) was independent of the number of items learned.
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