STUDIES IN ABSTRACTION LEARNING: VIII. A SIMULATED CLASSROOM STUDY OF RECTROACTIVE INHIBITION AS A FUNCTION OF THE METHOD OF TRAINING ON THE INTERPOLATED TASK.

Abstract : Modern technology not infrequently demands that persons trained to operate one complex device shift to a different, but related, device. Examples are legion--the pilot shifting from one type of aircraft to another, or the technician changing from one computer or business machine to another. Military technical training programs have been particularly plagued with this problem. Men trained on one type of fire-control, or communications equipment in a service school are likely to encounter different models of these same instruments when assigned to tactical units. The present study was concerned with one aspect of this training problem. If a person is briefly introduced to device A, but is then shifted to a related device, B, on which he receives more extensive training, how should this training be given on device B so as to facilitate, or at least not hinder, his performance when shifted back to A. The familiar 'Learn A--Learn B--Relearn A' retroactive inhibition (RI) paradigm was thus being used, and the method by which the interpolated task was taught and practiced was simply varied. This has been the paradigm most frequently employed in studies of transfer of training, particularly those carried out within the conceptual framework of RI.