A test of the regulatory fit hypothesis in perceptual classification learning

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A test of the regulatory fit hypothesis in perceptual classification learning (2006)

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by W. Todd Maddox , Grant C. Baldwin , Arthur B. Markman

Venue:	Memory and Cognition
Citations:	37 - 18 self

BibTeX

@ARTICLE{Maddox06atest,
    author = {W. Todd Maddox and Grant C. Baldwin and Arthur B. Markman},
    title = {A test of the regulatory fit hypothesis in perceptual classification learning},
    journal = {Memory and Cognition},
    year = {2006},
    pages = {1377--1397}
}

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Abstract

This article builds a bridge between research on regulatory focus in motivation and classification learning. It tests the hypothesis that a fit between the situational regulatory focus and the reward structure of the task leads to greater cognitive flexibility than does a mismatch between situational focus and the reward structure and that the fit between the regulatory-focus-induced processing characteristics and the nature of the environment influences performance. In Experiment 1, we used a classification task for which cognitive flexibility should be advantageous and examined both gains (Experiment 1A) and losses (Experiment 1B) reward structures. In Experiments 2 and 3, we used a classification task for which cognitive flexibility should be disadvantageous. In Experiment 2, we used a gains reward structure, and in Experiment 3, we used a losses reward structure. As was predicted, when cognitive flexibility was advantageous, the participants in a regulatory fit showed faster learning and more quickly shifted toward the optimal response strategy. Also as was predicted, when cognitive flexibility was disadvantageous, the participants in a regulatory mismatch showed faster learning and more quickly shifted toward the optimal response strategy. Implications for current theories of motivation and classification learning are discussed. Nearly all human behavior has some motivational component.

Keyphrases

cognitive flexibility perceptual classification learning regulatory fit hypothesis reward structure optimal response strategy classification learning classification task loss reward structure environment influence performance regulatory focus human behavior current theory situational regulatory focus situational focus regulatory fit gain reward structure motivational component regulatory mismatch regulatory-focus-induced processing characteristic

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