Constant vs Varied Serial Order in Paired-Associate Learning

Abstract

Typical varied serial-order conditions of paired-associate (PA) learning were compared with a constant serial order on all trials in 5 experiments involving systematic variations in method, kind of material, and other potentially relevant factors. The results showed a small but relatively consistent facilitation by constant serial order limited primarily to later stages of learning. Since a shift following the first correct response to each pair from constant to varied serial order produced as much facilitation as did completely constant-order conditions, it was concluded that complex associations involving serial position are developed during early stages of constant-order PA learning, but that these exercise a facilitating influence primarily through the reduction of inter-pair interference late in learning.