Item-to-item associations in typing: Evidence from spin list sequence learning

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Motor Learning

Background:

• Item-to-item associations are formed during sequence learning but often excluded from serial order theories.
• The role of these associations in skilled motor tasks like typing remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of item-to-item associations on keystroke ordering in typing.
• To determine if these associations are a necessary component of serial order production.

Main Methods:

• Participants learned nonword anagram sequences using variants of the spin list learning procedure.
• Letter order between anagrams was manipulated: scrambled (inconsistent absolute/relative order) or spun (inconsistent absolute, consistent relative order).

Main Results:

• Learning was faster for sequences with consistent relative letter order.
• Practice on sequences with consistent relative order facilitated transfer to unpracticed sequences.
• Transfer was independent of absolute letter position but disappeared if letter order was reversed.

Conclusions:

• Typing utilizes item-to-item associations, especially when associative interference is minimized.
• Item-to-item associations are a necessary, though not sufficient, component for serial order in typing.