University of Tasmania
Browse
Reynolds et al JEPG 2020 in press Model of Dont Know.pdf (1.11 MB)

A dynamic model of deciding not to choose

Download (1.11 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 16:32 authored by Reynolds, A, Roderick GartonRoderick Garton, Kvam, P, James SauerJames Sauer, Osth, A, Heathcote, A
We 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 Psychology

Volume

150

Pagination

42-66

ISSN

0096-3445

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Amer Psychological Assoc

Place of publication

750 First St Ne, Washington, USA, Dc, 20002-4242

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 American Psychological Association

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in psychology

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Categories

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC