Exemplar and nonexampler variables which produce correct concept classification behavior and specified classification errors

Investigated 4 instructional strategies for promoting the acquisition of an infinite concept class. 111 undergraduates received a poetry concept task in which the independent variables were: (a) probability level of exemplars and nonexemplars determined by Ss who correctly classify the instance as an examplar or a nonexemplar; (b) matching of an exemplar to a nonexemplar so that the irrelevant attributes are similar; and (c) divergency of an exemplar with another exemplar so that all of their irrelevant attributes differ. Exemplars that share irrelevant attributes are convergent. The manipulation of the independent variables predicted 4 dependent variables: (a) correct classification; (b) overgeneralization; (c) undergeneralization; and (d) misconception. The 4 predicted outcomes were all significant at p < .01. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).