Research measures and modeling cognitive processes Flashcards
Metatheory
A set of assumptions and guiding principles
Information-Processing approach
The coordinated operation of active processes within a multi-component memory system
- There are sub-processes arranged in stages
Atkinson & Shiffrins multi-store memory model
What methods can we use to obtain scientific evidence on mental processes?
- Response time
- Accuracy
- Verbal reports
Very subjective - Different types of brains scans from neuroscience
Response Time
Time between presentation of stimulus and the response
- Mental effort takes time
- Indirect proof that there are some underlying processes going on
Accuracy
Correct answers
- Correct order
- Recall
- Meanings
Can we inhibit responses that are no longer required, and how?
- With the use of Stop Signal Tasks
- Use of response inhibition
- Control of your impulsivity
There is a cue on the screen, as fast as possible and without making mistakes you respond whats appropriate with the cue. When there is a red guy, you stop. - Measured in milliseconds, very precise
What are the different types of signal tasks?
- Simple one
Stimulus, you press the button - Go/NoGO RT
Green stimulus - you press response button
Red stimulus - Do not press response button
An additional task: Stimulus identification - Extra time shows there is additional processes
- Choice RT
A choice between stimulus. Adds response selection as well as stimulus identification
What is the problems with subtraction methods?
- Requires two tasks
- Difficult to create those two tasks with only one specific process different
What is additive factors method?
A technique used to analyze processing time for specific cognitive tasks
- Factors are components of the process
Smaller cognitive processes
- Measure the overall time
- Understanding different cognitive processing stages
One factor effects one specific stage
Stenbergs Process model - Short term memory
- Memory set in STM
- Encoding probe (time starts here)
Looking for a letter - Scanning and comparisons with memory sets
Search and compare - Binary decision
Is it there? - Execute motor response
Simplified model on how we remember things and how it works - Measures the RT
- If their combined effect to RT is equal to the sum of their separate effects = additive effect
Stenberg Task
- Memory set presented a short time
4 random letters - Indicate whether the following letter was in the previous set by pressing the response button as fast as possible
Different ways of manipulating different stages
- Effects on stimulus quality: manipulate the visibility of the probe. The more degraded the test stimulus, the slower the RT
- Effect on memory load: manipulate size of the memory set (4 letters or 1 letter to remember). The more letters to remember, the slower the RT
- Effect of the duration of memorizing: manipulate when the probe appears. The longer the interval, the slower the RT
How do you infer the additive effects from Stenberg tasks?
- If the lines are parallel with each other, they effect different levels. If the lines cross, there is an interaction
It shows in patterns - Increases the belief that processes are organized serially and selective influence of the factors effect those processes differently
What is the speed-accuracy tradeoff?
A phenomenon where there is a tradeoff between speed and accuracy of performance
Accuracy can vary with response time
- Faster responses can give more mistakes
- Taking time increases accuracy and RT
- Consider mistakes in the results
- How does it influence the cognitive processes?
Try experiments with different age groups
Different measures of accuracy
- Recall Tasks
Performance
% correct answers vs incorrect
Position of words
Grouping
Wrong words - Signal Detection Theory
