[ACT-R-users] Inter-subject variability in declarative memory

[Niels Taatgen]

David,
Tweaking parameters to fit individual differences is a common approach, as the earlier responses have already indicated, but another option is to look at differences in working memory strategies. I strongly believe that many individual differences in cognitive control, including working memory, are due to people applying different strategies. Transfer experiments support this idea by showing that, for example, training working memory not only increases working memory capacity, but also reduces Stroop interference. I presented models of this during ICCM in Berlin, and have a draft paper about it (which I can mail you if you are interested). 
Niels
On Jul 11, 2012, at 9:34 PM, David Reitter wrote:

> Most ACT-R models seem to assume a "standard mind", an average cognitive system, with the same (global) parameters set for each simulated subject.  Particularly, the base-level decay parameter alpha (:bll) is not one to mess with - modelers usually leave it at 0.5.
> 
> That said, humans differ in their memory abilities.  
> 
> I am interested in any empirical and modeling work that explores the distribution of declarative memory parameters (such as alpha and the rather model-dependent base-level constant).  Can we assume a normal distribution around alpha=0.5?  How wide is it?
> 
> Much work has been done on short-term and working-memory capacity.  However, if you are aware of work relating ACT-R with its integrated perspective on short-term and long-term memory and inter-subject variability, please let me know.  If I get a lot of answers, I will post a summary here.
> 
> Thanks,
> David
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Dr. David Reitter
> Research Psychologist, Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University
> 08/2012: Assistant Professor of Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State University
> http://www.david-reitter.com
> 
> 
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===============================================
Niels Taatgen - Professor
University of Groningen, Artificial Intelligence
web: http://www.ai.rug.nl/~niels     email: niels at ai.rug.nl
Telephone: +31 50 3636435
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