| Title | The effects of positive versus negative feedback on information-integration category learning |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2007 |
| Authors | F Ashby, G., & O'Brien J. B. |
| Journal | Perception & Psychophysics |
| Volume | 69 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pagination | 865-878 |
| Date Published | 2007 Aug |
| ISSN | 0031-5117 |
| Keywords | Affect, Concept Formation, Feedback, Humans, Learning |
| Abstract | A number of studies have shown that in category learning, providing feedback about errors allows faster learning than providing feedback about correct responses. However, these previous studies used explicit, rule-based tasks in which the category structures could be separated by a simple rule that was easily verbalized. Here, the results of the first experiment known to compare the efficacy of positive versus negative feedback during information-integration category learning are reported. Information-integration tasks require participants to integrate perceptual information from incommensurable dimensions, and evidence suggests that optimal responding recruits procedural learning. The results show that although nearly all of the full-feedback control participants demonstrated information-integration learning, participants receiving either positive-only or negative-only feedback generally used explicit, rule-based strategies. It thus appears that, unlike rule-based learning, consistent information-integration learning requires full feedback. The theoretical implications of these findings for current models of information-integration learning are discussed. |
| Alternate Journal | Percept Psychophys |
| PubMed ID | 18018967 |
| Grant List | MH3760-2 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States |
