Some perceptual factors in the learning of sequential patterns of binary events

Ss learned sequences of binary eventh (lights) produced by repetition of patterns of five elements. The stimuli were presented once every four sec, with immediate responding or delayed responding. A simple and a complex pattern were used, with each pattern started at each of its five possible starting points. Description of the pattern by S after learning shows that runs and alternations are critical determiners of the perceived organization. The point at which responding begins (with delayed responding) is related to the perceived organization, but is also affected by the accuracy of response to each position in the pattern. The difficulty of learning is affected by the particular pattern. The error rate per position indicates pattern expectancies, and these produce differences in learning difficulty with different starting positions. Comparison with previous research suggests that “learning” of slow patterns has much in common with “perception” of fast patterns.