RETROACTIVE INHIBITION OF PROSE AND CHANGE IN PHYSICAL OR ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Abstract

Changes in the physical concext between original learning (OL) and interpolated learning (IL) reduce the amount of retroactive inhibition (RI) wich low meaningful materials (Strand, 1970; Watts & Royer, 1969). Jensen (1972) reported a similar effect wich meaningful prose passages. The present study investigated the effect of changing physical or organizational context on R1 in prose. Each of four groups of Ss read an OL passage about a primitive tribe named the Himoots; each then read a different IL passage. The IL passage for the three experimental groups described a second tribe called the Gruanda For one group the physical and organizational context of the Himoots and Gruanda passages was identical. To change physical context the same text was read to a group, but the paper color and typeface for material in OL and IL differed. To effect change in organizational context, physical context was identical, but the inter- and inuaparagraph order, vocabulary, and sentence syntax varied between the OL and IL passages. The passages were modified from Anderson and Myrow (1971) so that the information in the IL passage conflicted with information given in OL. In other words, for each assertion in the Himoots passage (A + B), the Gruanda description contained a codlicting assertion (A + C). The control group read a passage on Zen Buddhism used by Anderson and Myrow ( 1971 ) as IL. Fortyseven multiple-choice test items were constructed containing the A portion of an assertion as the item stem znd, as alternative answer choices, the correct Himoocs response (B), the conflicting Gruanda response (C), and two other plausible choices. From Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Flossmoor, Illinois, 70 boys and girls participated in the study and were assigned to a treatment by distributing randomly intermixed booklets containing the OL passage and the IL passage appropriate for that condition. Twenty minutes were allowed for reading each passage. Ss completed the test on the OL passage 24 hr. later. The mean numbers of correct responses for each condition were: Control37.6, Change in Physical Context-37.3, Identical Context-35.4, Change in Or'Appreciation is expressed to William M. Hopkins for critical comment and to Mr. Victor Borst and the staff of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. A transcript of data appears in Document NAPS-02037. Order from Microfiche Publications, 305 East 46 Street, New York, N. Y. 10017. Remit $1.50 for microfiche or $13.70 for photocopy.