In separate studies, observers viewed upright biological motion, inverted biological motion, or arbitrary motion created from systematically randomizing the positions of point-light dots. Results showed that observers (a) could learn to detect the presence of arbitrary motion, (b) could not learn to discriminate the coherence of arbitrary motion,…

A surprising validation of expectation experienced during a recognition test induces the perception of discrepancy and a feeling of familiarity. The authors investigated whether that perception also affects memory performance when it is experienced in the original encounter with a stimulus. Target words were presented in a study phase, half in…

We have used a genetically tractable model system, the fruit fly "Drosophila melanogaster" to study the interdependence between sensory processing and associative processing on learning performance. We investigated the influence of variations in the physical and predictive properties of color stimuli in several different operant-conditioning…

The report presents summaries of 11 studies performed on 25-45 autistic students in a residential center to investigate processes of discrimination and response acquisition using automated reinforcement technology and exact timing procedures. The computer operated display and recording system for language and discrimination training is described…

School children frequently fail to adequately understand terms associated with musical pitch although research shows that even infants with normal hearing can perceptually discriminate fine pitch variations. This study investigated children's perceptions of dimensions of sound by focusing on their choice of musical sounds and relevant…

Response rates and latencies of white, lower-, and middle-class preschool children were measured in an experimentally-induced frustration situation. Socioeconomic class differences in frustration situation. Socioeconomic class differences in frustration reactions were found; two possible hypotheses are offered in explanation. (SDH)

This study tested Levine's hypothesis testing model of discrimination learning with a procedure for determining which hypothesis is sampled without introducing blank trials. (DP)

The theory is developed and contrasted with other theories of pattern recognition in which concepts such as stimulus generalization, tuned detectors, and preprocessing play major roles. A relation of this theory to problems encountered among disabled readers ("dyslexics") is also brought out. (Author/BJG)

A total of 128 first- and second-graders participated in two sets of shift problems: (1) four extra-dimensional shifts; and (2) shift problems with two types of cue-reinforcement conditions (same and reversal). (ED)

Experiment 1 supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Grant M2232. Experiment 2 submitted as the senior author's PhD dissertation at the University of Miami and supported by NIMH grant MH-14914.

Research supported in part by a Public Health Service Fellowship (MH-6668) and by Grant M-3519 from the National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Public Health Service.