Paired-Associate Transfer for the A-B, C-A and the A-B, B-C Paradigms

Abstract

Results of two experiments on transfer between paired-associate verbal lists, the first comparing the A-B, C-A paradigm with the A-B, C-D control and the second comparing the A-B, B-C paradigm with the A-B, C-D control are reported here. Each paradigm was represented by a separate group of 20 Ss, making a total of 80 Ss participating in both experiments. Army enlisted men averaging around the civilian mean were the nonvolunteer Ss. A low degree of List I learning was used but List II was learned to one perfect trial. Trials to successive criteria showed non-significant negative transfer in Exp. II and nonsignificant positive transfer in Exp. I. When the upper halves of Ss of known general aptitude in the two groups in Exp. I were compared, positive transfer was barely significant ( p = .05).