INSTRUCTIONS AND FEEDBACK EFFECTS ON SPEED AND ACCURACY WITH DIFFERENT LEARNING CURVE MODELS

Abstract This study compares powerform versus exponential learning curve models on the first ten trials of a task, using several dependent measures. Also shown are differences in instructions about speed emphasis, accuracy emphasis, and equal speed-accuracy emphasis. Empirical data were collected on human subjects performing a devised task on discovering a sequence of switch connections to lights. Learning curves of each model were fitted to the serial data and to cumulative average serial data on time, errors, and their product for each individual subject. Difficulties in fitting these models to data are reported along with supporting reasons. The quality of data fits to each model is examined for each criterion. It is shown that the exponential model exhibits more difficulties in being fitted to data, but that it provides a more accurate description of each criterion of learning in this task when the fit is good. Accuracy and speed operating characteristics are shown for each group of subjects who are g...

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