Generalization Gradients as Indicants of Learning and Retention of a Recognition Task

Ss were required to select previously exposed pictures of common objects from among series of alternative pictures graded in similarity to the prototypes. Response frequencies were plotted in the form of generalization gradients, and such gradients were obtained following 4 stages of training and 3 retention intervals. In Part II, Ss were trained by exposing the same prototype stimuli, but recognition tests consisted of alternatives at 1 of 3 homogeneous levels of similarity to the prototypes. Learning curves based upon the 3 types of tests differ markedly in slope, reflecting the differential sensitivity of various dichotomous tests to the changes in the discriminability function. It was shown that the slope of each curve could be predicted accurately from the gradients obtained in Part I. Thus, generalization gradients were shown to be sensitive, parsimonious representations of the recognition learning process.