Serial structures as response items in paired-associate learning

Abstract

In three different experiments, 16 names were paired with four response items which represented a serial structure. The items were “HS diploma,” “B.A.,” “M. A.,” and “Ph.D.” for Experiment 1; “city,” “county,” “state,” and “country” for Experiment 2; and “city,” “county,” “country,” and “continent” for Experiment 3. Results for each experiment showed that the end items were learned faster in terms of trials to a criterion and errors before criterion. Forward association errors were highly related to corresponding backward association errors for Experiments 2 and 3. In the same two experiments errors involving “county” and “country” were markedly different, which was interpreted as further evidence of the effect of a previously learned serial structure upon paired-associate learning.