Mirror position and negative transfer.

The measurement of transfer of training.

“…The raw scores attained on tests (112) usually indicate the number of correct responses, although in some instances the scoring formula may involve the subtraction of a weighted error score. Raw scores representing number of errors as a measure of learning are used in these studies: 27 Scores expressing amount of transfer. The difference between the raw scores in experimental and control groups in a transfer experiment is frequently given as a net transfer score.…”

Interference and mirror position.

“…In mirror shift transfer, on the other hand, the interference is much less marked after twenty-four hours than after one minute. Moreover, comparison of the results given above with data from the writer's previous experiments suggests that the marked difference in amount of inhibition is between the one minute and the five minute interval, and that the amounts of interference after five minutes and twenty-four hours are about equal (2).…”

“…In a previous paper I suggested that mirror shift interference might be considered a special case of "associative" inhibition or negative transfer, if the usual formula "new R to old S" were rephrased to read: "Negative transfer occurs in learning a new response to an old behavioural environment" (2). In this formulation, the interference is supposed to occur because, while the perceptual field is not changed in any way that should cause difficulty in tracing, the mirror shift makes the habitual response "wrong," and a new way of acting must be developed.…”

“…THE experiment reported here is a follow-up of an investigation previously reported, regarding the effect of first learning to trace an irregular reflected maze pattern with the mirror in one position (right, left, or centre), and then changing the mirror to a second and later to a third position (2). Since the marked interference found under these conditions seems to possess some unique features, it was thought advisable to investigate further the factors affecting it.…”