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Studies in the Learning Function

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

L. E. Wiley
Affiliation:
Ohio Wesleyan University
A. M. Wiley
Affiliation:
Ohio Wesleyan University

Abstract

The error function of the theoretical learning curve developed by Thurstone has been fitted to maze data from rats that have been subjected to cerebral cortical insult. There is a high degree of relationship between the number of errors necessary to complete learning as predicted from the curve and the experimental measure of learning, total-errors-minus-errors-first-trial. The procedure provides a method of analysis for individual learning records and it may be used to shorten the training period. The goodness of fit indicates that the underlying logic of the learning curve is plausible.

Type
Original Paper
Copyright
Copyright © 1937 The Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

*

A grant-in-aid from the National Research Council has made the present analysis possible. We are indebted to Professor L. L. Thurstone for aid and encouragement.

References

Lashley, K. S.and Wiley, L. E. “Studies of cerebral function in learning. IX. Mass action in relation to the number of elements in the problem to be learned;” J. Comp. Neur., v. 57, 1933, no. 1, Feb. 15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thurstone, L. L. The learning function. Journal of General Psychology, 1930, 3, 469493.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thurstone, L. L. The error function in maze learning. Journal of General Psychology, 1933, 9, 288301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar