Tutorial-Learning + MeMory

Question 1

Association formation

Answer 1

• central theory
• Learning + memory depend on formation of associative links
• occurrence of entity A becomes associated with occurrence of entity B

Question 2

Associationism

Answer 2

-claim learning is through creating + strengthening an Assoc link between A + B
-Aim identify conditions of associations + factors determining formation

Question 3

Contiguity

Answer 3

• If A+B are contiguous then an Assoc link will be set up between them + learning about the pair occurs

Question 4

Reformulation of the problem of associations (Asch)

Answer 4

• Associationistic model of learning
• A+B are fixed
• If an association forms still unchanged
• A occurs = B follows = association = learning
• A + B need to be contiguous in space + time
  -units are mental representations of elements
• elements = physical stimuli
  -interpretation of stimulus is important

Question 5

Asch- Experiment 1

Answer 5

• on each card there is 1 critical shape +1 critical colour
  -Testing color/shape pairings
• 6 minute delay + probed recall task
• incidental learning - ppts not told to remember
  -memory for pairings where colour + shape were uniquely related (colour + shape belong) was 2 x better than when colour + shape weren’t related
  -shows there’s a factor other than contiguity at work

Question 6

Asch- Experiment 2

Answer 6

• use contours (forms) textures not shapes + colour
  -ppts tested on free recall task
• performance with constitutive patterns (combined) being better remembered than paired (separate textures + forms)

Question 7

Asch- Experiment 3

Answer 7

• probe part-whole relations
  -intentional learning + free recall
• performance with unitary (combined) patterns better remembered than paired (separate pained shapes)

Question 8

Asch- Experiment 4

Answer 8

• Test with verbal nonsense syllables
• read out material that was pairs of nonsense syllables or combined into disyllables (unitary)
• incidental learning
• performance better with unitary patterns

Question 9

Asch- conclusions

Answer 9

• something more than contiguity is at stake
• most effective way of producing coherence between experience is embedding them in the same psychological unit