The effects of linear order in category learning: Some replications of Ramscar et al., (2010) and their implications for replicating training studies

Ramscar, Yarlett, Dye, Denny and Thorpe (2010) showed how, consis tent with the predictions of error-driven learning models, the order in which stimuli are presented in training can affect category learning. Specifically, learners exposed to artificial language input where objects preceded their labels learned the discriminating features of categories better than learners exposed to input where labels preceded objects. We sought to replicate this finding in two online experiments employing the same tests used originally: A four pictures test (match a label to one of four pictures) and a four labels test (match a picture to one of four labels). In our study, only findings from the four pictures test were consistent with the original result. Additionally, the effect sizes observed were smaller, and participants over-generalized high frequency category labels more than in the original study. We suggest that although Ramscar et al. [2010] feature-label order predictions were derived from error-driven learning, they failed to consider that this mechanism also predicts that perfomance in any training paradigm must inevitably be influ enced by participant prior experience. We consider our findings in light of these factors, and discuss implications for the generalizability and replication of training studies