Effects of Practice on Identification of Multidimensional Stimuli

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of practice on the identification of multidimensional stimuli. Subjects were instructed to perform a two-dimensional identification task. The stimuli could be identified either physically or connotatively. There were two orders of reporting the two dimensions of a stimulus. Analysis showed that method of identification and order of report significantly affected speed of identification. Physical identification was faster than identification of meaning. An appropriate order of report shortened response times, and increased practice reduced response times. Practice in multidimensional identification seemed to follow the same laws and trends of unidimensional performance. The effects of practice on multidimensional identification could be represented by straight lines if response times were plotted against the logarithm of the number of trials as noted in unidimensional performance. Further, practice attenuated initial differences in response times between physical identification and identification of meaning.