The definition and analysis of perceptual learning.

Relationships between imprinting and perceptual learning.

“…However, none of these authors elaborated on the possible mechanisms of such early perceptual learning. After adapting the theoretical views of Gibson and Gibson (1955) and Wohlwill's (1958) criteria of what should be considered as perceptual learning, Sluckin and Salzen (1961) limited the term imprinting to situations in which the imprinted bird was required to discriminate between patterns of movement, form, color, sound, etc., and suggested that the associative component should be left out entirely. Such dismissal of the associative component in the consideration of perceptual learning, however, is succinctly rejected by Postman (1955).…”

Developmental studies of perception.

“…The interpretation of these age differences in perceptual learning must await a more adequate explanation of the nature of such learning effects, particularly since, occurring without benefit of external reinforcement, these cases of improvement with practice are not readily accounted for in associative terms (cf. Wohlwill, 1958).…”

Perceptual Learning

“…The ad vantage of this definition is that it forces the psychologist to take the stimulus seriously, as Gibson himself has done. A s to the learning processes involved, Wohlwill (133) suggests that they grow out of the generalization of previously established differential responses to a new stimulus. Perceptual learning need not depend on the formation of new S->R associations and, in contrast to associative learning, may occur in the absence of external rein forcement.…”