Category Width and the Learning of Multiattribute Paired Associates

Abstract

Summary The hypothesis of this study was that measurable differences between broad and narrow categorizers in certain forms of learning would be obtained. Support for this hypothesis in the data from the present design was clearly evident. In the multiattribute learning task which was utilized, the broad categorizers were able to recall a significantly larger number of attributes than were the narrow categorizers, whereas the number of trials to criterion was virtually the same for each group. In sum, the learning task which provides opportunity for the utilization of varying quantities of input information, as in the multiattribute paired-associate task, appears to be subject to the influence of such variables as differences in category width. The data of this study suggest the possibility that individual differences in cognitive categorization may be consistently reflected in the person's preferred manner of orienting himself to, and processing, the stimuli presented by his world. The extent to which th...