Constructive processes in simple linear-order problems

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Psychology : Human Learning and Memory 1976-11, Vol.2 (6), p.759-766
• Main Authors: Foos, Paul W, Smith, Kirk H, Sabol, Mark A, Mynatt, Barbee T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Human; Memory; Numbers (Numerals); Reconstruction (Learning); Stimulus Complexity
• ISSN: 0096-1515; 0278-7393; 2327-9745; 1939-1285
• DOI: 10.1037/0278-7393.2.6.759

Investigated the processes involved in constructing a linear order from a set of relations between pairs of elements in the order. 60 undergraduates were presented with sets of digit pairs and instructed to form a single digit string on the basis of the order relations expressed by the pairs. For example, given 57, 19, 71, the correct response is 5719. Manipulations of presentation order revealed constructive processes of varying difficulty depending on whether a pair had 0, 1, or 2 digits in common with the digits held in memory as an incomplete, constructed string. The least difficult processes arose when there was one common element. If the common element occurred at the end of the string in memory, construction was easier than when the new digit had to be added to the beginning of the string. When a pair had no digits in common with the string in memory, constructing the correct string became substantially more difficult, especially when subsequent pairs having 2 digits in common required that a tentative order of digits held in memory be reorganized.