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A Theory of Learning and Transfer: I

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Harold Gulliksen  and
Dael L. Wolfle
Harold Gulliksen
Affiliation:
The University of Chicago
Dael L. Wolfle
Affiliation:
The University of Chicago
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Abstract

A rational theory of discrimination learning is developed for the special case in which the subject must discriminate between two stimuli which differ with respect to one variable such as size or brightness. It is shown that the previous equations developed by Gulliksen and Thurstone are special cases of the present one. It is predicted that the ultimate level of accuracy of the discrimination is inversely related to the difference, as determined psychophysically, between the two stimuli. Other implications of the theory for experimental work are presented.

Type
Original Paper
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , September 1938 , pp. 127 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © 1938 Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

*

We are grateful to the members of Professor Thurstone's Seminar in Mathematical Psychology for criticism of this paper and particularly to Mr. John Reiner for assistance in the derivations involved.

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