Learning to solve pattern-identification problems.

Effects of pattern complexity in solving pattern recognition and pattern production problems

“…Contrary to the results of the Peterson & Hillner (1967) study, increasing the number of lights (or number of required switches) led to more trialand-error switch-pressing behavior in the pattern recognition task as well as in the pattern production task. In regard to pattern recognition strategies, many Ss in the 5-light problems pressed each switch exactly twice before identifying the pattern, rather than sampling all of the switches just once as they typically did with the 3-and 4-light problems.…”

“…The switch-light apparatus also can be used for pattern recognition problems, in which S's task is to identify which of several light patterns has been preprogrammed into the apparatus. According to a study of pattern recognition strategies by Peterson & Hillner (1967), S will usually approach a pattern recognition task by pressing every switch just once, then selecting the correct pattern from the population of patterns provided by E. Thus one finding of Peterson and Hillner was that light patterns defined by three, four, or five lights did not differ in difficulty as measured by switch presses to criterion.…”