Recency effects as a window to generalization: separating decisional and perceptual sequential effects in category learning.
Accounts of learning and generalization typically focus on factors related to lasting changes in representation (i.e., long-term memory). The authors present evidence that shorter term effects also play a critical role in determining performance and that these recency effects can be subdivided into perceptual and decisional components. Experimental results based on a probabilistic category structure show that the previous stimulus exerts a contrastive effect on the current percept (perceptual recency) and that responses are biased toward or away from the previous feedback, depending on the similarity between successive stimuli (decisional recency). A method for assessing these recency effects is presented that clarifies open questions regarding stimulus generalization and perceptual contrast effects in categorization and in other domains.
Jones
Matt
M
Department of PsychologyUniversity of Texas, Austin, TX, USA. mattj@psy.utexas.edu
Love
Bradley C
BC
Maddox
W Todd
WT
D001288:Attention; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005793:Generalization, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data