[Inductive versus associative processes in stimulus discrimination].

The experiment reported here was an attempt to demonstrate that the solution of specific discrimination problems is based on rules rather than on differences in associative strengths. With positive and negative patterning as examples, we examined whether or not the solution of the discrimination problem depends on the number of reinforcements for each individual stimulus when the total number of reinforcements is kept constant. This was achieved by manipulating the number of stimuli used. We also examined the transfer to new stimuli. Forty subjects took part in a 2 x 2-factorial experiment with anticipatory skin conductance responses as the dependent variable. All the results were in accordance with the assumption of rule based problem solution. The amount of discrimination was independent of the number of reinforcements for each stimulus. Furthermore, according to results of concept formation studies, an asymmetry in transferring the solution to new stimuli was observed.