Implicit learning mediates base rate acquisition in perceptual categorization

    Authors

    C. J. Bohil;A. J. Wismer

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Psychon. Bull. Rev.

    Keywords

    Base rate; Categorization; Implicit learning; COVIS; DELAYED FEEDBACK; CATEGORY; MODEL; RULE; NETWORK; Psychology, Mathematical; Psychology, Experimental

    Abstract

    We explored the possibility, suggested by Koehler (Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 19, 1-53, 1996; also Spellman Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 19, 38, 1996), that implicit learning mediates the influence of base-rates on category knowledge acquired through direct experience. In two experiments, participants learned simple perceptual categories with unequal base-rates (i.e., presentation frequency). In Experiment 1, participants received either response training or observational training. In Experiment 2, participants received response training with either immediate or delayed feedback. In previous studies, observational training and delayed feedback training have been shown to disrupt implicit learning. We found that base-rate influence was weaker in these conditions when category discriminability was low (i.e., when category membership was difficult to determine). This conclusion was based on signal detection beta values as well as decision-bound modeling results. Because these disruptions to implicit learning attenuate the base-rate effect, we conclude that implicit learning does indeed underlie the influence of base-rates learned through direct experience. This suggests that the implicit learning system postulated by the COVIS theory of categorization (Ashby, Alfonso-Reese, Turken, & Waldron Psychological Review, 105, 442-481, 1998) may be involved in developing sensitivity to category base-rates.

    Journal Title

    Psychonomic Bulletin & Review

    Volume

    22

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2015

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    586

    Last Page

    593

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000351530700030

    ISSN

    1069-9384

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