EFFECTS OF VERBAL AND PERCEPTUAL TRAINING ON WATER LEVEL REPRSENTATION

Abstract

Representation of water level in jars tilted at various angles to the horizontal was studied with 180 white and Negro Ss with a mean age of 7-6. Unsuccessful Ss were trained by perceptual confirmation and verbal methods. Training resulted in improved performance, although there was no transfer to jars of a different form. Perceptual confirmation training was superior to verbal instruction of the water level principle. Negro and white Ss profited equally well from training, but pretest group differences were not overcome by training. Water level conceptualization in jars tilted at oblique angles was more difficult than in jars placed horizontally or vertically.