Learning in virtual environments: Some discrepancies between laboratory- and Internet-based research on associative learning

Some published reports have emphasized the similarities between Internet and laboratory research on associative learning processes. However, few of them, if any, studied systematic divergences between both types of research methodologies. In the present experiment, we investigated these divergences using an experimental preparation for the study of associative learning. The results show that discrimination and discrimination-reversal can be obtained both in laboratory and Internet experiments. However, the learning rate was clearly better in the laboratory than in the Internet condition. This result suggests that associative learning experiments performed over the Internet should provide participants with extensive training to assure that asymptotic performance is achieved.