title: Analogical transfer in perceptual categorization.
abstract: Analogical transfer is the ability to transfer knowledge despite significant changes in the surface features of a problem. In categorization, analogical transfer occurs if a classification strategy learned with one set of stimuli can be transferred to a set of novel, perceptually distinct stimuli. Three experiments investigated analogical transfer in rule-based and information-integration categorization tasks. In rule-based tasks, the optimal strategy is easy to describe verbally, whereas in information-integration tasks, accuracy is maximized only if information from two or more stimulus dimensions is integrated in a way that is difficult or impossible to describe verbally. In all three experiments, analogical transfer was nearly perfect in the rule-based conditions, but no evidence for analogical transfer was found in the information-integration conditions. These results were predicted a priori by the COVIS theory of categorization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive #0109, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093-0109, USA. mbcasale@gmail.com
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Casale
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Roeder
authors.forename: F Gregory
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Ashby
mesh_terms: D001245:Association Learning; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D006801:Humans; D009949:Orientation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011337:Probability Learning; D011340:Problem Solving; D012858:Size Perception; D014163:Transfer, Psychology