Verbal-discrimination learning: Varied familiarization on correct and incorrect items.

80 Ss in 4 groups were given 12 trials on a 30-pair verbal-discrimination (VD) list of very low-frequency words. The groups received different familiarization training prior to the VD task. Differential familiarization, given on correct and incorrect items, was initially beneficial, but more so when the correct item received the greater familiarization. More familiarization of incorrect than correct items resulted in a slower rate of improvement across trials than occurred when equal familiarization was given on correct and incorrect items, or when Ss received irrelevant familiarization. Equal familiarization of correct and incorrect items led to faster VD acquisition than irrelevant familiarization. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)