Memory for, and salience of, the unique features of similar stimuli in perceptual learning.

Yvonna Lavis*, Raja Kadib, Chris Mitchell, Geoffrey Hall

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In two experiments, participants received exposure to complex checkerboards (e.g., AX and BX) that consisted of small distinctive features (A and B) superimposed on a larger common background (X). Subsequent discrimination between AX and BX, assessed by a same-different task, was facilitated when the stimuli were presented on alternate trials in preexposure--a perceptual learning effect (Experiment 1). The hypothesis that this form of exposure results in more accurate representations of the unique features was supported in Experiment 1, which showed that participants were well able to match the color of the feature with its shape. Experiment 2 showed that exposure to A and B in isolation, intermixed with presentations of AX and BX, enhanced the perceptual learning effect, which confirmed that the better encoding of the unique features during intermixed preexposure is a direct cause of the enhanced discrimination observed following preexposure on this schedule.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)211-219
Number of pages0
JournalJ Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2011

Keywords

  • Association Learning
  • Discrimination (Psychology)
  • Discrimination Learning
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Reaction Time
  • Students
  • Universities
  • Visual Perception

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