scholarly journals Busting a myth with the Bayes Factor

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenia Schmalz ◽  
Claudio Mulatti
Keyword(s):  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bayes Factor ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Letter Pair ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Frequency Effect ◽  
Bigram Frequency

Abstract Psycholinguistic researchers identify linguistic variables and assess if they affect cognitive processes. One such variable is letter bigram frequency, or the frequency with which a given letter pair co-occurs in an orthography. While early studies reported that bigram frequency affects visual lexical decision, subsequent, well-controlled studies not shown this effect. Still, researchers continue to use it as a control variable in psycholinguistic experiments. We propose two reasons for the persistence of this variable: (1) Reporting no significant effect of bigram frequency cannot provide evidence for no effect. (2) Despite empirical work, theoretical implications of bigram frequency are largely neglected. We perform Bayes Factor analyses to address the first issue. In analyses of existing large-scale databases, we find no effect of bigram frequency in lexical decision in the British Lexicon Project, and some evidence for an inhibitory effect in the English Lexicon Project. We find strong evidence for an effect in reading aloud. This suggests that, for lexical decision, the effect is unstable, and may depend on item characteristics and task demands rather than reflecting cognitive processes underlying visual word recognition. We call for more consideration of theoretical implications of the presence or absence of a bigram frequency effect.

scholarly journals Busting a myth with the Bayes Factor: Effects of letter bigram frequency in visual lexical decision do not reflect reading processes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenia Schmalz ◽  
Claudio Mulatti
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bayes Factor ◽  
Reading Aloud ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Bigram Frequency ◽  
Linguistic Variables ◽  
Reading Processes ◽  
Frequency Effects ◽  
Lexical Decisions

Psycholinguistic researchers identify linguistic variables and assess if and how these affect cognitive processes. One such variable is letter bigram frequency, or the frequency with which a given pair of letters co-occurs in an orthography. While early studies have shown that bigram frequency affects visual word recognition, subsequent, well-controlled studies have failed to show such an effect. Still, researchers continue to use it as a control variable in psycholinguistic experiments. We propose two reasons for the persistence of this variable: (1) Studies have reported no evidence for an effect of bigram frequency, but this cannot provide evidence for no effect. (2) The theoretical implications of a bigram frequency have been largely neglected. We address the first issue by performing Bayes Factor tests on both a matched item set and large-scale studies, and the second by discussing possible theoretical implications. We find no effects of bigram frequency effects for lexical decisions, though there is some evidence for an effect in reading aloud.

What is—or, for that Matter, isn’t—‘Experimental’ Semantics?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
Natural Language ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Thought Experiments ◽  
Natural Language Semantics ◽  
Empirical Methods ◽  
Language Semantics ◽  
Experimental Semantics

This chapter examines the currently fashionable notion of ‘experimental semantics’, and argues that most work in natural language semantics has always been experimental. The oft-cited dichotomy between ‘theoretical’ (or ‘armchair’) and ‘experimental’ is bogus and should be dropped form the discourse. The same holds for dichotomies like ‘intuition-based’ (or ‘thought experiments’) vs. ‘empirical’ work (and ‘real experiments’). The so-called new ‘empirical’ methods are often nothing more than collecting the large-scale ‘intuitions’ or, doing multiple thought experiments. Of course the use of multiple subjects could well allow for a better experiment than the more traditional single or few subject methodologies. But whether or not this is the case depends entirely on the question at hand. In fact, the chapter considers several multiple-subject studies and shows that the particular methodology in those cases does not necessarily provide important insights, and the chapter argues that some its claimed benefits are incorrect.

scholarly journals Static and dynamic functional connectivity supports the configuration of brain networks associated with creative cognition

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Uday Patil ◽  
Sejal Ghate ◽  
Deepa Madathil ◽  
Ovid J. L. Tzeng ◽  
Hsu-Wen Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Blood Oxygen Level Dependent ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Creative Cognition ◽  
Network Flexibility ◽  
Community Detection Algorithm ◽  
Window Approach

AbstractCreative cognition is recognized to involve the integration of multiple spontaneous cognitive processes and is manifested as complex networks within and between the distributed brain regions. We propose that the processing of creative cognition involves the static and dynamic re-configuration of brain networks associated with complex cognitive processes. We applied the sliding-window approach followed by a community detection algorithm and novel measures of network flexibility on the blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal of 8 major functional brain networks to reveal static and dynamic alterations in the network reconfiguration during creative cognition using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Our results demonstrate the temporal connectivity of the dynamic large-scale creative networks between default mode network (DMN), salience network, and cerebellar network during creative cognition, and advance our understanding of the network neuroscience of creative cognition.

Reading monomorphemic and compound words in Chinese

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Lei Cui ◽  
Tuomo Häikiö ◽  
Wenxin Zhang ◽  
Yuwei Zheng ◽  
Jukka Hyönä
Keyword(s):  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Word Type ◽  
Morphological Processing ◽  
Frequency Effect ◽  
Word Frequency Effect ◽  
Compound Words ◽  
Recognition Time ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Dual Route ◽  
Dual Route Model

Abstract Two lexical decision experiments were conducted to study the recognition of two-character Chinese monomorphemic and compound words by adult native Chinese readers. In Experiment 1, the words appeared non-spaced, whereas in Experiment 2 a space was inserted between the two characters. An interaction between word type and spacing reflects a trend for spacing to slow down the recognition of monomorphemic words and speed up that of compound words. The word frequency effect was steeper for monomorphemic than compound words. The number of strokes in the first and the second character influenced the recognition time for compound words, but not for monomorphemic words. The results are interpreted in the light of the parallel dual route model of morphological processing. The holistic route is more prevalent in recognizing Chinese monomorphemic, while the morphological decomposition route is more prevalent in processing Chinese compound words.

scholarly journals Research on Efficacy Evaluation of Large-Scale Networked Intelligent Perception System

2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Suqiong Ge ◽  
Xiaopeng Huang
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Engineering System ◽  
Conceptual System ◽  
Efficacy Evaluation ◽  
Perception System ◽  
Service Oriented ◽  
Evaluation Platform

Under the smart engineering system (SES), there is a huge demand for evaluating the efficacy of a large-scale networked intelligent perception system (IPS). Considering the large-scale, distributed, and networked system characteristics and perception task demands, this paper proposes a conceptual system for IPS efficacy evaluation and, on this basis, designs the architecture of the efficacy evaluation system. A networked IPS model is constructed based on domain ontology, an index system is quickly established for efficacy evaluation, the evaluation methods are assembled automatically, and adaptive real-time organization strategies are generated for networked perception based on efficacy estimate. After exploring these key technologies, a prototype system is created for the service-oriented integrated efficacy evaluation platform and used to verify and integrate research results. The research provides support for the efficacy evaluation theories and methods of large-scale networked IPS.

Proximate Mechanisms of Individual Decision-Making Behavior

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Glimcher
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Variable ◽  
Computational Resource ◽  
Human Decision ◽  
Holistic Theory ◽  
Decision Making Behavior

In the early twentieth century, neoclassical economic theorists began to explore mathematical models of maximization. The theories of human behavior that they produced explored how optimal human agents, who were subject to no internal computational resource constraints of any kind, should make choices. During the second half of the twentieth century, empirical work laid bare the limitations of this approach. Human decision makers were often observed to fail to achieve maximization in domains ranging from health to happiness to wealth. Psychologists responded to these failures by largely abandoning holistic theory in favor of large-scale multi-parameter models that retained many of the key features of the earlier models. Over the last two decades, scholars combining neurobiology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary approaches have begun to examine alternative theoretical approaches. Their data suggest explanations for some of the failures of neoclassical approaches and revealed new theoretical avenues for exploration. While neurobiologists have largely validated the economic and psychological assumption that decision makers compute and represent a single-decision variable for every option considered during choice, their data also make clear that the human brain faces severe computational resource constraints which force it to rely on very specific modular approaches to the processes of valuation and choice.

scholarly journals Test-takers’ perspectives on a global test of English: questions of fairness, justice and validity

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Obaidul Hamid ◽  
Ian Hardy ◽  
Vicente Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
English Language ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Language Testing ◽  
Global Test ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
Global Tests ◽  
Test Taking Strategies

Abstract Although language test-takers have been the focus of much theoretical and empirical work in recent years, this work has been mainly concerned with their attitudes to test preparation and test-taking strategies, giving insufficient attention to their views on broader socio-political and ethical issues. This article examines test-takers’ perceptions and evaluations of the fairness, justice and validity of global tests of English, with a particular focus upon the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Based on relevant literature and theorizing into such tests, and on self-reported test experience data gathered from test-takers (N = 430) from 49 countries, we demonstrate how test-takers experienced fairness and justice in complex ways that problematized the purported technical excellence and validity of IELTS. Even as there was some evidence of support for the test as a fair measure of students’ English capacity, the extent to which it actually reflected their language capabilities was open to question. At the same time, the participants expressed concerns about whether IELTS was a vehicle for raising revenue and for justifying immigration policies, thus raising questions about the justness of the test. The research foregrounds the importance of focusing attention upon the socio-political and ethical circumstances that currently attend large-scale, standardized English language testing.

scholarly journals Using Quantile Regression to Estimate Intervention Effects Beyond the Mean

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 883-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyros Konstantopoulos ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Shazia Miller ◽  
Arie van der Ploeg
Keyword(s):  
Quantile Regression ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Education Data

This study discusses quantile regression methodology and its usefulness in education and social science research. First, quantile regression is defined and its advantages vis-à-vis vis ordinary least squares regression are illustrated. Second, specific comparisons are made between ordinary least squares and quantile regression methods. Third, the applicability of quantile regression to empirical work to estimate intervention effects is demonstrated using education data from a large-scale experiment. The estimation of quantile treatment effects at various quantiles in the presence of dropouts is also discussed. Quantile regression is especially suitable in examining predictor effects at various locations of the outcome distribution (e.g., lower and upper tails).

Early-childhood cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and children’s neurocognitive development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M Lee ◽  
Ruth Mitchell ◽  
Julia A Knight ◽  
Tony Mazzulli ◽  
Caroline Relton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bayes Factor ◽  
Population Based ◽  
General Intelligence ◽  
Cmv Infection ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Neurocognitive Outcomes

Abstract Background Despite a clear association seen in congenitally infected children, the effect of postnatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during early childhood on cognitive development has not yet been determined. Methods CMV-infection status was obtained based on serological measurements when children were 7 years old. Using population-based longitudinal data, we employed multivariate Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator to characterize the relationship between childhood CMV infection and adverse neurocognitive outcomes in children. Suboptimal neurocognitive outcomes were compared between CMV-positive and CMV-negative children using various cognitive assessments from 8 to 15 years of age. Children were evaluated on the cognitive domains of language, reading, memory and general intelligence, with a suboptimal score being >2 standard deviations lower than the mean score. Approximate Bayes factor (ABF) analysis was used to determine the level of evidence for the observed associations. Results With adjustment for potential confounders, we observed that early-childhood CMV infection was associated with suboptimal total intelligence quotient (IQ) at 8 years of age [incidence-rate ratio (IRR) = 2.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35–4.62, ABF = 0.08], but not with suboptimal total IQ at 15 years of age (IRR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.43–2.19, ABF = 1.68). Suboptimal attentional control at 8 years (IRR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.13–2.68, ABF = 0.18) and reading comprehension at 9 years (IRR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.12–3.33, ABF = 0.24) were also associated with CMV infection. ABF analysis provided strong evidence for the association between CMV infection and total IQ at 8 years, and only anecdotal evidence for attentional control at 8 years and reading comprehension at 9 years. All other cognitive measures assessed were not associated with CMV infection. Conclusion In this large-scale prospective cohort, we observed some evidence for adverse neurocognitive effects of postnatal CMV infection on general intelligence during early childhood, although not with lasting effect. If confirmed, these results could support the implementation of preventative measures to combat postnatal CMV infection.

scholarly journals Using Brunerian Learning Theory with Educational Simulations to Teach Concepts

1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura R. Winer ◽  
Richard F. Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Learning Theory ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Spatial Visualization ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Individualized Treatment ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Educational Simulations ◽  
Single Process ◽  
Process Oriented

The present study maintains that consistently effective leaming materials can best be generated if the prescriptions instructional designers use are founded on learning theory. It is also considered critical that cognitive processes central to the task demands and strategies employed to address them be established. To be practical, we further recommend that only a single, process-oriented lesson, rather than individualized treatment, be implemented. Instructional simulations met these criteria, being tightly bound to Bruner's theoretical approach, and inherently capable of addressing aptitude deficiencies. Subjects were assessed for spatial visualization ability, grouped, randomly assigned to simulation or non-simulation treatments, and tested immediately, one week, and five weeks after instruction. The simulation significantly increased the high-aptitude learners' efficiency (and initially effectiveness), and low-aptitude learners' effectiveness. The validity of a theory-based, aptitude-enhancing, standardized approach was supported, and is discussed.

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