Using Tools to Help Us Think: Actual but Also Believed Reliability Modulates Cognitive Offloading

Human Factors
Patrick P Weis, Eva Wiese

Abstract

A distributed cognitive system is a system in which cognitive processes are distributed between brain-based internal and environment-based external resources. In the current experiment, we examined the influence of metacognitive processes on external resource use (i.e., cognitive offloading) in such systems. High-tech working environments oftentimes represent distributed cognitive systems. Because cognitive offloading can both support and harm performance, depending on the specific circumstances, it is essential to understand when and why people offload their cognition. We used an extension of the mental rotation paradigm. It allowed participants to rotate stimuli either internally as in the original paradigm or with a rotation knob that afforded rotating stimuli externally on a computer screen. Two parameters were manipulated: the knob's actual reliability (AR) and an instruction altering participants' beliefs about the knob's reliability (believed reliability; BR). We measured cognitive offloading proportion and perceived knob utility. Participants were able to quickly and dynamically adjust their cognitive offloading proportion and subjective utility assessments in response to AR, suggesting a high level of offloading profic...Continue Reading

References

Feb 19, 1971·Science·R N Shepard, J Metzler
Jun 14, 2002·Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers : a Journal of the Psychonomic Society, Inc·Charles A Collin, Patricia A McMullen
Nov 1, 1956·Psychological Bulletin·M D ARNOULT, F ATTNEAVE
Jan 13, 2006·Behavior Research Methods·Roger Bakeman
Nov 18, 2008·Cognitive Psychology·Matthew M Walsh, John R Anderson
Nov 26, 2013·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·Shane T Mueller, Brian J Piper
Jun 21, 2015·Consciousness and Cognition·Evan F Risko, Timothy L Dunn

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 11, 2020·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Kristy L ArmitageJonathan Redshaw
Dec 4, 2019·Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications·Annika Boldt, Sam J Gilbert
Dec 21, 2019·Cognitive Science·Patrick P Weis, Eva Wiese
Feb 27, 2020·Human Factors·Yasunori KinosadaKazumitsu Shinohara
Feb 10, 2021·Memory·Matthew FisherTito L H Grillo
Mar 18, 2021·Psychological Science·Matthew Fisher, Daniel M Oppenheimer
May 1, 2021·Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications·Hauke S MeyerhoffSam J Gilbert

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

MATLAB
Psychophysics Toolbox
_ productionready
HFAC
Sup

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.