Item to decision mapping in rapid response learning

Abstract

Repeated classification of a visually presented stimulus rapidly leads to a form of response learning that bypasses the original evaluation in favor of a more efficient response mechanism. In two experiments, we examined the level of input and output representations that make up this form of learning. In Experiment 1, alterations in the finger mapping of the output response had no effect on the expression of response learning, demonstrating that a classification decision, not motor output, is associated with repeated items. In Experiments 2A and 2B, we tested whether response learning would transfer across different visual exemplars of a studied item. There was no evidence of transfer to different visual exemplars, even when these exemplars were judged to be highly visually similar. Taken together, these results indicate that response learning consists of the formation of an association between a specific visual representation and a classification decision.

Figure.1

The general experimental paradigm. Participants engaged in a study period where they made classification judgments about items presented once or three times. At test items presented once (low prime) and thrice at study (high prime) were presented along with novel items. Half of the time at study participants responded with the same finger mapping as during study and half of the time with an inverted mapping.

Figure.2

Proportional priming scores for low and high primed conditions across decision cue inversion in test blocks 1 and 2. Graphs represent percent priming and error bars represent standard error of the mean. The y axis is in units of percentage.

Figure.3

Proportional priming scores for same and different visual exemplars across both decision cues. Graphs represent percent priming and error bars represent standard error of the mean. The y axis is in units of percentage.

Figure.4

A graph of the proportional priming scores across levels of visual similarity between exemplars for both the same decision cue and the inverted decision cue. From left to right, values reflect repetitions of the same visual exemplar followed by the visual similarity rating bins 5, 4, 3, and 2 for repetitions of different visual exemplars. Located above the graph are representative examples of the visual objects at the 2 extremes of the similarity ratings. Markers represent percent priming and error bars represent standard error of the mean. The y axis is in units of percentage.