Chunking mechanisms in human learning

Pioneering work in the 1940s and 1950s suggested that the concept of 'chunk ing' might be important in many processes of perception, learning and cogni tion in humans and animals. We summarize here the major sources of evidence for chunking mechanisms, and consider how such mechanisms have been implem ented in computational models of the learning process. We distinguish two f orms of chunking: the first deliberate, under strategic control, and goal-o riented; the second automatic, continuous, and linked to perceptual process es. Recent work with discrimination-network computational models of long- a nd short-term memory (EPAM/CHREST) has produced a diverse range of applicat ions of perceptual chunking. We focus on recent successes in verbal teaming , expert memory, language acquisition and learning multiple representations , to illustrate the implementation and use of chunking mechanisms within co ntemporary models of human learning.