Neo-Noncontinuity Theory

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the neo-noncontinuity theory. Noncontinuity theory is a theory dealing with choice responses during discrimination learning. Specifically, it holds that the choices reflect hypotheses that S is testing. It is less well known that noncontinuity theory is today enjoying a revival. Indeed, it may fairly be characterized as the leading theory of discrimination learning by adult humans. Theory, then, is proceeding at two levels, one abstract, probabilistic, intended for a variety of problem-solving situations; the other qualitative in description, concerned with the specific processes in the specific task. The development along these lines has already produced some notable accomplishments and promises both application to a greater variety of discrimination tasks and a finer analysis of each task. The concomitant development of theory and of probes, such as the blank-trials probe, should yield a rigorous, detailed, yet comprehensive description of human discrimination learning.

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