Skip to main content

Measuring Individual Differences in Cognitive Processes: How a Speed-Accuracy Methodology Can Improve the Results

  • Chapter
Learning Environments

Part of the book series: Recent Research in Psychology ((PSYCHOLOGY))

Abstract

Errors and latencies are complementary aspects of performance. In this paper, I explore the consequences of attempting to ignore one aspect of performance while analyzing the other. In particular, I argue that the twin problems of what to do with error-response latencies and how to equate subjects on speed-accuracy trade-off have seriously clouded our efforts to understand individual differences in cognitive processing. I then show how both of these problems can be solved by collecting data in a way that allows one to determine how accuracy and latency covary within each cell of the design. Results from four studies using diverse cognitive tasks also suggest that this method yields scores which better capture the information-processing characteristics of individuals than conventional analyses of errors or latencies do.

During the year 1988–1989 Dr. Lohman was Visiting Professor at Leiden University in The Netherlands.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anderson, J.R. (1984). Spreading activation. In J.R. Anderson & S.M. Kosslyn (Eds.), Tutorials in learning and memory: Essays in honor of Gordon Bower (pp. 61–90 ). San Francisco: W.H. Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bethell-Fox, C.E., Lohman, D.F., & Snow, R.E. (1984). Adaptive reasoning: Componential and eye movement analysis of geometric analogy performance. Intelligence, 8, 179–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dehn, N., Schank, R. (1982). Artificial and human intelligence. In R.J. Sternberg (Ed.), Handbook of human intelligence (pp. 352–391 ). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickman, S.J., Meyer, D.E. (1988). Impulsivity and speed-accuracy trade-offs in information processing. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54,274–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ekstrom, R.B., French, J.W., Harman, H.H. (1976). Kit of factor-referenced cognitive tests. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horn, J.L. (1985). Remodeling old models of intelligence. In B.B. Wolman (Ed.), Handbook of intelligence (pp. 267–300 ). New York: John Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, A.R. (1982). The chronometry of intelligence. In R.J. Sternberg (Ed.), Advances in the psychology of human intelligence, Vol. 1 (pp. 225–310 ). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyllonen, P.C. (1985). Dimensions of information processing speed (AFHRLTP-84–56). Brooks AFB, TX: Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, Manpower & Personnel Division.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lohman, D.F. (1979a). Spatial ability: A review and reanalysis of the correlational literature. (Tech. Rep. No. 8). Stanford, CA: Stanford University, Aptitude Research Project, School of Education. (NTIS No. AD-A108–003).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lohman, D.F. (1979b). Spatial ability: Individual differences in speed and level (Tech. Rep. No. 9). Stanford, CA: Stanford University, Aptitude Research Project, School of Education. (NTIS No. AD-A075–973).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lohman, D.F. (1986). The effect of speed-accuracy trade-off on sex differences in mental rotation. Perception & Psychophysics, 39, 427–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lohman, D.F. (1989a). Estimating individual differences in information processing using speed-accuracy models. In R. Kanfer, P.L. Ackerman, & R. Cudeck (Eds.), The Minnesota symposium on learning and individual differences; Abilities, motivation, and methodology (pp. 119–164 ). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lohman, D.F. (1989b). Individual differences in errors and latencies on cognitive tasks. Learning and Individual Differences, 1, 179–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshalek, B. (1981). Trait and process aspects of vocabulary (Tech. Rep. No. 15). Stanford, CA: Stanford University, Aptitude Research Project, School of Education. (NTIS No. AD-A102 757).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, R.N., Metzler, J. (1971). Mental rotation of three-dimensional objects. Science, 171, 701–703.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snow, R.E., Lohman, D.F. (1989). Implications of cognitive psychology for educational measurement. In R.L. Linn (Ed.), Educational Measurement ( 3rd Edition ) (pp. 263–331 ). New York: MacMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R.J. (1977). Intelligence, information processing, and analogical reasoning: The componential analysis of human abilities. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R.J. (1980). A proposed resolution of curious conflicts in the literature on linear syllogisms. In R.S. Nickerson (Ed.), Attention and Performance VIII (pp. 719–744 ). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R.J. (1985). Beyond IQ: A triarchic theory of human intelligence. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terman, L. (1950). Concept Mastery Test (Form T). New York: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorndike, R.L., Hagen B. (1986). Cognitive Abilities Test ( Third edition ). Chicago: Riverside.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickelgren, W.A. (1977). Speed-accuracy trade-off and information processing dynamics. Acta Psychologica, 41, 67–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lohman, D.F. (1990). Measuring Individual Differences in Cognitive Processes: How a Speed-Accuracy Methodology Can Improve the Results. In: Pieters, J.M., Breuer, K., Simons, P.RJ. (eds) Learning Environments. Recent Research in Psychology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84256-6_24

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84256-6_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-52903-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-84256-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics