Mediated generalization and the interpretation of verbal behavior: V. 'Free association' as related to differences in professional training.

Abstract

299• Typical studies are surveyed by Vemon (18, pp. 88-102) and Woodworth (19, pp. 340-367). •The influence of 'mental set,' experimentally demonstrated by Mohsin (13), has been emphasized by a number of writers, 6uch as Woodworth (19). Instead of regarding 'mental set' as a causative factor, a sort of hypostatized deus ex machina, however, it should be realized that 'mental set' is itself the result of immediately preceding stimulating conditions. * The corresponding figures for children over 12 years of age were: 'proletariat' 40 percent, 'better circles' 25 percent.

Attitude formation: the development of a color-preference response through mediated generalization.

“…His placement of attitude within the framework of behavior theory and his emphasis on attitude as a learned response to definable stimuli appears to be a more research oriented and potentially fruitful approach to the problem than has been taken in the past. An equally important source of stimulation for this study has come from the work on mediated and semantic generalization, particularly from the work of Birge (2), Gofer and Foley and associates (3,4,5,8,9), Keller (11), Razran (13,14), and Reiss (15,16).…”

Word Association: Variables Affecting Popular‐response Frequency1

“…Carroll, Kje1dergaard, and Carton (1962) It has already been found that free-association responses are influenced by such things as past experience (Foley & MacMillan, 1943), internal states (wisp6, 1954, personality (Dunn, Bliss, & Siipola, 1958), self-instructions (Moran et al, 1964), and order of stimulus words (Wynne et al, 1965). given popular responses in a previous session, it seems likely that giving such responses again would simplify the~IS task since these responses should have relatively high associative strength.…”

Word Association: Variables Affecting Popular-Response Frequency

“…When the nonA tendency is heightened by exposure to a condition favoring it, the tendency persists in later sessions, even under less favorable conditions. It has already been found that free-association responses are influenced by such things as past experience (Foley & MacMillan, 1943), internal states (wisp6, 1954, personality (Dunn, Bliss, & Siipola, 1958), self-instructions (Moran et al, 1964), and order of stimulus words (Wynne et al, 1965).…”