On sequential effects in absolute judgment experiments

In absolute judgment experiments with feedback, the events on a given trial, n, exert a biphasic effect on succeeding responses: The response on trial n + 1 is displaced toward the stimulus (or feedback) on trial n (assimilation), and the response on each of several subsequent trials is displaced in the opposite direction (contrast). The possibility that the response on trial n + k can be explained as the weighted sum of events on that and preceding trials (linear model) was examined. It is concluded that (a) data from a typical absolute judgment experiment are not clearly consistent with the linear approach; (b) a 1st-order (1 trial back) linear model cannot account for the typical biphasic weighting sequence, but a 2nd-order model can do so; and (c) the possibility of real effects extending over several preceding trials cannot be excluded. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1980 American Psychological Association.

Duke Scholars

Author John E. R. Staddon Psychology & Neuroscience