AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF A TACTICAL BLUNDER,
Abstract
An experiment was conducted in whi-ollege Ss played a ''Path and Obstacles'' game. Their task was to trace a path on a 5x5 plugboard in such a way as to avoid hitting anq of the obstacles placed by the other player. The placement of the obstacles was always controlled by the experi menter. Half the Ss faced obstacle arrangements which always left a certain path open. The trial to trial movement of the obstacles in this con dition was fundamentally random. The other Ss faced obstacle arrangements in which the trial to trial movement of obstacles was systematic (there was no randomness). Here, the S could not be successful by repeating the same path. These conditions were labeled, accordingly, the Fixed and Variable Path solutions. It was possible to isolate a class of moves by the Ss which could be rigorously defined and which were, in every in stance, inappropriate. It was found that the Ss in the Fixed Path condition made significantly more of these poor moves. That is, Ss who were in a milieu which was characterized by a high degree of order (Variable Path condition) made fewer mistakes even though they did not know what the principle of order was. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0413348
Entities
People
- Albert E. Myers
Organizations
- Educational Testing Service