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A Variation Of Sternberg's Paradigm, Robert J. Smillie

Student Work

An investigation was carried out to test Sternberg’s stage theory using his additive-factor method. Three factors were proposed that would have additive effects on RT and two factors that would not. Ss were presented stimuli in the form of colors and sound frequencies under varying combinations of mode, stimulus quality, list length, and response type. Ss were also blocked according to sex. Results revealed only stimulus quality and list length to be additive. Response type interacted with list length. Males were faster than females but the sex factor was differentially influencing two of the proposed stages in Sternberg’s model. The …