Abstract
Evidence currently exists which suggests that adaptation-level (AL) theory (Helson, 1964) is a concept relevant to the judging of numerical inequalities. The present experiment was designed to replicate the findings of Fairbank and Capehart (1969) that subjects require less time to choose the larger of two digits than to choose the smaller. In addition, the prediction was made on the basis of AL theory that manipulating stimulus context would influence the time required for subjects to select the larger or the smaller of two digits. In one condition of a simultaneous comparisons task, the digit 2 was interpolated midway between each stimulus pair. In another condition, the digit 9 was the interpolated digit. Subjects required less time to choose the larger of a pair of digits when 2 was the interpolated digit and less time to choose the smaller of a pair when 9 was the interpolated digit. The results were discussed in terms of AL theory and suggestions for further research were proposed.
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References
Capehart, J., & Pease, V. An application of adaptation-level theory to transposition responses in a conditional discrimination. Psychonomic Science, 1968, 10, 147–148.
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The author wishes to thank Alfred B. Kristofferson for sponsoring this paper and taking editorial responsibility for it, and Thomas R. Herzog for his assistance in preparing the manuscript.
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Bennink, C. The effects of stimulus context on the time required for choosing the larger or the smaller of two digits. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 5, 18–20 (1975). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336686
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336686