Acta Psychologica Sinica

Abstract

The effects of the similarity of examples and test items in the story lines on the use of principles were studied. In experiment 1, by extending the different degree of the story line between the example and the test item used by Ross, the effect of the story line on the use of the principle was explored. In experiment 2, by making the story type of the story line of the test item different from the example, the effect of the story line on the use of principle was explored. In experiment 3, the effect of the story line on the use of principle was further explored in the circumstance in which the story line of the example was contrary to that of the test item. The within-subjects design was used. Having studied the principle with its example, the subjects were asked to solve the test item which had different similar relation with the example in the story line. The results showed: (1) The story lines of examples and test items had an effect on the use of principles. When the story lines of both were obviously different, especially when the difference came from the story type, the similarity of the story line between both had a significant influence on the use of principle. (2) The effects of the story lines of examples and tests on the use of principles were influenced by the aspects of the object correspondence between both. When the object correspondence was similar, the similarity in the story line would promote the use of the principle. But when the object correspondence was reversed, the similarity in the story line would interfere in the use of principle. According to these results, the opinion is that the similarities of examples and test items in the story lines influenced not only the access of principles but also its use. The conclusion drawn by Ross that the similarities of story lines of examples and tests had no effect on the use of principle should be revised.

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