Organization and part—whole transfer

Abstract

Predictions derived from an organizational interpretation of transfer in a part—whole free-recall paradigm were tested via a procedure which allowed manipulation of part- and whole-list organizational compatibility and extent of part-list organization. The manipulation of extent of part-list organization held opportunity for accumulation of individual item strength and formation of list membership tags constant thus allowing a comparison of organizational and list discrimination explanations of part—whole transfer. All results were consistent with the organizational hypothesis. Alternative hypotheses and previous data which appear to be at odds with the organizational interpretation are discussed.