Effects of Item Color on Verbal Discrimination Learning

Abstract

Summary Verbal discrimination learning was investigated as a function of the printed color of the items in the list. The subjects received five trials on the same verbal discrimination list and served in one of four experimental groups based on item color: (a) Control, all items printed in black ink; (b) Color Positive, two incorrect items paired with the same correct item if based on item color; (c) Color Control, all items printed in different colors; and (d) Color Negative, a double function list if based on item color. The subjects also received a free recall task following verbal discrimination learning. No differences were found between groups on either the discrimination learning or recall tasks, indicating that the subjects did not make frequency responses to the item color.