The Structural Analysis of Behavior: An Alternative to the Learning-Hierarchy Model

Abstract

This article reviews Gagné’s learning-hierarchy model and the model-testing procedures used in empirical investigations of the model. It then suggests the use of structural modeling techniques as an alternative to the learning hierarchy representation. Various structural procedures such as latent structure analysis are described for use in representing Gagne’s prerequisite relations hypothesis and other associated hypotheses not considered in the learning hierarchy model. Structural modeling techniques based on path analysis are suggested to represent Gagne’s positive transfer hypothesis and other associated hypotheses. Implications of structural modeling techniques for research in hierarchical relations are discussed.