Discrimination-shift behavior as a function of rule learning and the number of irrelevant categories

Abstract

Reversal (R) and extradimensional (ED) choices in an optional discrimination shift study were investigated in college students (N = 150) as a function of varying amounts of previous mandatory R or ED training and the number of irrelevant categories during preshift training. The findings were that as the number of training problems increased, Ror ED, the probability increased that the subject's optional choice was consistent with his previous shift training. Optional choice behavior was not influenced by the number of irrelevant categories.