Variations of Learning-Set Training and Quantity Conservation

MAY, RICHARD B., and TISSHAW, S. K. Variations of Learning-Set Training and Quantity Conservation. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1977, 48, 662-667. A shortened version of a learning-set training procedure was given to 80 children aged 4-1 to 5-4. These children and 16 untrained controls were then given quantity-conservation tests. Children trained on either length or number problems only conserved more than untrained children. Groups trained on both length and number generally conserved better than children trained on only 1 type of problem. Children given conservation pretests made more length-conservation errors than children trained without pretesting. Nonspecific transfer to length and number tests was good, but performance on liquid and mass tests was negligible for all groups, whether pretested, untrained, or trained on 1 or 2 types of problem.