Perceptual and Associative Learning [Hardcover]

Traditional theories of associative learning have found no place for the possibility that an individual's perception of events might change as a result of experience. Evidence for the reality of perceptual learning has come from procedures unlike those studied by learning theorists. The work reviewed in this book shows that learned changes in perceptual organization can in fact be demonstrated, even in experiments using procedures (such as conditioning and simple discrimination learning) which form the basis of associative theories. These results come from procedures that have been the focus of detailed theoretical and empirical analysis; and from this analysis emerges an outline of the mechanisms responsible. Some of these are associative, others require the addition of nonassociative mechanisms to the traditional theory. The result is an extended version of associative theory which, it is argued, will be relevant not only to the experimental procedures discussed in this book but to the entire range of instances of perceptual learning. For psychologists interested in the basic mechanisms of conditioning, perception, and learning, this volume provides an up-to-date, critical review of the field.

1. Associative Theory and the Phenomena of Perceptual Learning
2. Habituation
3. Latent Inhibition as Reduced Associability
4. Latent Inhibition as Associative Interference
5. Acquired Distinctiveness: Mediation and Differentiation
6. Acquired Distinctiveness: Attentional Factors
7. Discrimination after Stimulus Exposure
8. Learning and the Modification of Stimulus Representations

Hall's book is atour de force: it convincingly explains a wide range of phenomena. . . .He suggests enough new experiments to keep workers in animal learning busy for years. And he exhibits great zest: one might say that he writes with faith, hope and clarity. --Nature

Stimulating. . . . well written. Hall's text is an excellent exlc®