Two modes of learning for interactive tasks

Abstract

This paper argues that human cognition employs two modes of learning, s-mode and u-mode. S-mode learning takes place by means of abstract working memory and is delective and reportable. U-mode learning occurs outside abstract working memory and is unselective and unavailable for verbal report. Three experiments are described, employing two tasks which have previously been shown to give rise to two modes of learning consistent with the conceptualisations of s-mode and u-mode learning. The experiments explore the effects of introducing a secondary verbal task on learning, performing and relearning these tasks. The secondary task can be expected to interfere with s-mode learning. It was found that adding the secondary task interfered with performing and relearning one of the tasks, the one for which subjects could verbalise what they had learnt. In contrast, for the other task, for which subjects could not verbalise their learning, performance and relearning were facilitated by adding the secondary task. These data argue for two modes of learning, only one of which involves the verbal system. © 1988.