Two modifications are proposed in the basic axioms of Hull-Spence discrimination learning theory. The principle of primary stimulus generalization is changed from an exponential to a linear function for both habit and inhibition. The principle of stimulus interaction is substituted for the additive axiom used by Spence and for the principle of afferent neural interaction proposed by Hull. With these two modifications, and other principles in the theory, prediction equations are derived for several types of problems involving discrimination learning and transfer. The modified theory is shown to predict that successive, conditional reaction, and mixed simultaneous-successive problems can be learned. There is also an illustration of the way in which response-produced cues can be quantitatively incorporated into the theory. Finally, a method is described for obtaining maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters in the prediction equations. A generally favorable evaluation of the theory results from a comparison of its predictions with the outcomes of some two dozen experimental studies.

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