Abstract
The primary objective was to consider issues and techniques of explication of verbal mediating responses in general and in concept attainment in particular. The issues considered were conditions of the introduction of verbal mediating responses as Components of post factum explanations, the analytical significance of verbal mediating responses, the locus and dimensions of verbal mediating responses and stimuli, and emphases in treating them. Techniques of explication of occurrences and consequences of verbal mediating responses and stimuli were classified as independent pre- or post-acquisition assessments of recognition and association responses to stimuli, verbal pretraining, and correlated observation. Methods and findings of two experiments were used to illustrate some more specific techniques.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
BOURNE, L. E. Discrimination learning, information processes and other approaches. Paper presented at a symposium on “Concept attainment: several approaches,” Amer. Psychol. Assn., St. Louis, 1962.
CANTOR, J. H. Amount of pretraining as a factor in stimulus predifferentiation and performance set. J. exp. Psychol., 1955, 50, 180–184.
GLANZER, M. Systematic operations. Paper presented at a symposium on “Concept attainment: several approaches,” Amer. Psychol. Assn., St. Louis, 1962.
GOSS, A. E. Early behaviorism and verbal mediating responses. Amer. Psychologist, 1961, 16, 285–298. (a)
GOSS, A. E. Verbal mediating responses and concept formation. Psychol. Rev., 1961, 68, 248–274. (b)
GOSS, A.E. Acquisition and use of conceptual schemes. In C. N. Cofer (Ed.), Verbal learning and verbal behavior. New York: McGraw-Hill 1961. Pp. 42–68. (c)
JENKINS, J. J. Mediated associations: paradigms and situations. In C. N. Cofer & B. S. Musgrave (Eds.), Verbal behavior and learning: problems and processes. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1963. Pp. 210–245.
KENDLER, H. H., & KENDLER, T. S. Vertical and horizontal processes in problem solving. Psychol. Rev., 1962, 69, 1–16.
McALLISTER, D. E. The effects of various kinds of relevant verbal pretraining on subsequent motor performance. J. exp. Psychol., 1953, 46, 329–336.
ROSEN, D. E. The role of pre-experimentally-acquired verbal mediating responses in acquisition and subsequent use of experimentally-strengthened verbal responses. Unpublished M.S. problem, Univer. of Massachusetts, 1962.
ROSEN, D. E. & GOSS, A. E. Pre-experimentally acquired verbal responses during acquisition and subsequent use of experimentally acquired verbal responses in conceptual block sorting. J. genet. Psychol., in press.
SIMMONS, A. J. Animistic responses as influenced by experimentally-strengthened associative chains and set-inducing instructions. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Massachusetts, 1960.
VERPLANCK, W. S. Unaware of where’s awareness: some verbal operants—notates, monents, and notants. In C. W. Ericksen (Ed.), Behavior and awareness. Durham: Duke Univer. Press, 1962. (a)
VERPLANCK, W. S. Verbalization and reinforcement. Paper presented at a symposium on “Concept attainment: several approaches,” Amer. Psychol. Assn., St. Louis, 1962. (b)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The present paper is a slightly modified and expanded version of one presented as part of a symposium on “Concept Attainment: Several Approaches” at the St. Louis meeting of the American Psychological Association in 1962. Also participating in this symposium were Lyle E. Bourne, Murray Glanzer, and William S. Verplanck. Charles N. Cofer served as chairman and William F. Battig as discussant.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Goss, A.E. Verbal mediation. Psychol Rec 14, 363–382 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03396008
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03396008