The invariance of asymmetric cross-modal transfer effects

Abstract

Molander, B., and Garvill, J. The invariance of asymmetric cross-modal transfer effects. Umeå Psychological Reports No. 125, 1977. - In two experiments cross-modal transfer as a function of amount of first modality training was investigated. Subjects learned to associate numbers with three-dimensional objects which were presented either visually or tactually. After training in one of the modalities transfer was tested in the other modality. In the first experiment the transfer test was conducted after 4, 8, 12, 18, or 36 trials of training and in the second experiment it was conducted after learning 100 %, 150 %, or 200 %. Transfer in the tactual-visual order was superior to transfer in the visual-tactual order in all training conditions, and the magnitude of the effect was the same. The results suggest that learning factors are of minor importance as causes to the asymmetry between modalities and that it is more fruitful to concentrate on perceptual factors.digitalisering@um