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8 groups of about 20 undergraduates each were presented with 60 factual multiple-choice items, answered each question, and either received feedback immediately or 24 hr. later. For 4 groups feedback included the stem and 4 alternatives to each question. 4 groups received only the 4 alternatives. Just prior to feedback 4 groups were given a retention set and 4 groups were not. The design of the experiment was 2 (feedback) X 2 (stem, no stem) X 2 (set, no set). A 60-item immediate and 5-day delayed retention test was administered. On immediate retention only the effect of stem, no stem was significant. On the delayed retention test the groups receiving delayed feedback, the stem of the question, and the retention set performed reliably higher than their counterparts.

Sixty factual multiple-choice items were presented by slides to 311 undergraduates who answered each question and either received immediate or 10-second delayed-information feedback. Two types of feedback cues were employed: with or without the stem of the question, and with right or with right plus wrong alternatives. The experiment was a 2 (time of feedback) X 2 (stem, no stem) X 2 (rights, rights plus wrongs) design. A 60-item mimeographed retention test was administered both immediately after and 5 days after feedback to all eight groups. On immediate retention there were no significant differences. On delayed retention Ss receiving delayed feedback performed slightly but reliably higher than 5s receiving immediate feedback, and Ss receiving no stem performed slightly but reliably higher than Sa receiving the stem of the question.

According to Flavell, functional fixedness varies with the number of unusual uses experienced in the training period. His supporting data are ambiguous owing to a faulty design. The present study focused on his limiting condition( i.e., a switch experienced in its usual and 4 unusual functions), but varied the position (1st, middle, last) of the switch experience. 115 female university students were each assigned to 1 of 5 groups. Contrary to Flavell's hypothesis, if the switch function occurred 1st in the series, functional fixedness was manifested even though 4 unusual uses were subsequently experienced. The structure or gestalt of the training experiences was said to vary depending on the position of the switch function. A phenomenological interpretation of the results was given.

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