Stimulus and Response Generalization: A Stochastic Model Relating Generalization to Distance in Psychological Space | Psychometrika | Cambridge Core (original) (raw)

Abstract

A mathematical model is developed in an attempt to relate errors in multiple stimulus-response situations to psychological inter-stimulus and inter response distances. The fundamental assumptions are (a) that the stimulus and response confusions go on independently of each other, (b) that the probability of a stimulus confusion is an exponential decay function of the psychological distance between the stimuli, and (c) that the probability of a response confusion is an exponential decay function of the psychological distance between the responses. The problem of the operational definition of psychological distance is considered in some detail.

References

Blumenthal, L. M.. Theory and applications of distance geometry, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1953Google Scholar

Brown, J. S., Bilodeau, E. A., Baron, M. R.. Bidirectional gradients in the strength of a generalized voluntary response to stimuli on a visual-spatial dimension. J. exp. Psychol., 1951, 41, 52–61CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Busemann, H.. The geometry of geodesics, New York: Academic Press, 1955Google Scholar

Bush, R. R., Mosteller, F.. A model for stimulus generalization and discrimination. Psychol. Rev., 1951, 58, 413–423CrossRef Google Scholar

Gibson, E. J.. Sensory generalization with voluntary reactions. J. exp. Psychol., 1939, 24, 237–253CrossRef Google Scholar

Gulliksen, H., Wolfle, D. L.. A theory of learning and transfer: I.. Psychometrika, 1938, 3, 127–149CrossRef Google Scholar

Hovland, C. I.. The generalization of conditioned responses: I. The sensory generalization of conditioned responses with varying frequencies of tone. J. gen. Psychol., 1937, 17, 125–148CrossRef Google Scholar

Hovland, C. I.. Human learning and retention. In Stevens, S. S. (Eds.), Handbook of experimental psychology, New York: Wiley, 1951Google Scholar

Hull, C. L.. Principles of behavior, New York: Appleton-Century, 1943Google Scholar

Kelley, J. L.. General topology, New York: Van Nostrand, 1955Google Scholar

Messick, S. J.. Some recent theoretical developments in multidimensional scaling. Educ. psychol. Measmt, 1956, 16, 82–100CrossRef Google Scholar

Messick, S. J., Abelson, R. P.. The additive constant problem in multidimensional scaling. Psychometrika, 1956, 12, 1–15CrossRef Google Scholar

Margolius, G.. Stimulus generalization of an instrumental response as a function of the number of reinforced trials. J. exp. Psychol., 1955, 49, 105–111CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Noble, M. E., Bahrick, H. P.. Response generalization as a function of intratask response similarity. J. exp. Psychol., 1956, 51, 405–412CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Plotkin, L.. Stimulus generalization in Morse code learning. Arch. Psychol., 1943, 40, 287Google Scholar

Rosenbaum, G.. Stimulus generalization as a function of level of experimentally induced anxiety. J. exp. Psychol., 1953, 45, 35–43CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Thurstone, L. L.. Multiple-factor analysis, Chicago: Univ. Chicago Press, 1947Google Scholar

Torgerson, W. S.. Multidimensional scaling: I. Theory and method. Psychometrika, 1952, 17, 401–420CrossRef Google Scholar

Woodworth, R. S., Schlosberg, H.. Experimental psychology, New York: Holt, 1955Google Scholar

Young, G., Householder, A. S.. Discussion of a set of points in terms of their mutual distances. Psychometrika, 1938, 3, 19–22CrossRef Google Scholar