ERIC Number: EJ1339094
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Apr
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
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ISSN: EISSN-1551-6709
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The Evolution of Chunks in Sequence Learning
Tosatto, Laure; Fagot, Joël; Nemeth, Dezso; Rey, Arnaud
Cognitive Science, v46 n4 e13124 Apr 2022
Chunking mechanisms are central to several cognitive processes and notably to the acquisition of visuo-motor sequences. Individuals segment sequences into chunks of items to perform visuo-motor tasks more fluidly, rapidly, and accurately. However, the exact dynamics of chunking processes in the case of extended practice remain unclear. Using an operant conditioning device, 18 Guinea baboons ("Papio papio") produced a fixed sequence of nine movements during 1000 trials by pointing to a moving target on a touch screen. Response times analyses revealed a specific chunking pattern of the sequence for each baboon. More importantly, we found that these patterns evolved during the course of the experiment, with chunks becoming progressively fewer and longer. We identified two chunk reorganization mechanisms: the "recombination" of preexisting chunks and the "concatenation" of two distinct chunks into a single one. These results provide new evidence on chunking mechanisms in sequence learning and challenge current models of associative and statistical learning.
Descriptors: Cognitive Processes, Schemata (Cognition), Visual Perception, Sequential Learning, Technology Uses in Education, Animals, Evolution, Psychomotor Skills
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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