Reynolds et al JEPG 2020 in press Model of Dont Know.pdf (1.11 MB)
A dynamic model of deciding not to choose
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 16:32 authored by Reynolds, A, Roderick GartonRoderick Garton, Kvam, P, James SauerJames Sauer, Osth, A, Heathcote, AWe propose a dynamic theory of decisions not to choose which of 2 options is correct. Such "do not-know" judgments are of theoretical and practical importance in domains ranging from comparative psychology, psychophysics, episodic memory, and metacognition to applied areas including educational testing and eyewitness testimony. However, no previous theory has provided a detailed quantitative account of the time it takes to make both definitive and do not-know responses and their relative frequencies. We tested our theory, the multiple threshold race (MTR), in 1 recognition memory experiment where participants had to pick a previously studied target out of 2 similar faces and another where targets and lures were tested 1 at a time. In both experiments we manipulated similarity through face morphing. High similarity made decisions difficult, encouraging do not-know responses. We also tested the MTR's ability to account for other manipulations that aimed to affect the speed and probability of do not-know responses, including increasing penalties for making an error (with no penalty for a do not-know response) and emphasizing either response speed or accuracy. We found that there were marked individual differences in do not-know use, and that the MTR was able to account for the intricate pattern of effects associated with our manipulations, both on average and in terms of individual differences. We discuss how estimates of MTR's parameters illuminate the psychological mechanisms that govern the interplay between definitive and do not-know responding.
Funding
Australian Research Council
The University of Melbourne
University of Newcastle
History
Publication title
Journal of Experimental PsychologyVolume
150Pagination
42-66ISSN
0096-3445Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Amer Psychological AssocPlace of publication
750 First St Ne, Washington, USA, Dc, 20002-4242Rights statement
Copyright 2020 American Psychological AssociationRepository Status
- Open