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

[Kelley, Troy D CIV (US)]

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

One parameter to look at as well would be base level noise, or production
utility noise, or both.  I know from my work with neuroscientists that some
individuals have "noiser" brains than other individuals.  This would be
reflected in memory differences and error rates.

Directly simulating the size of working memory might be much more difficult
to achieve, and I am not really sure how to accomplish that. As you suggest,
perhaps decay rates would reflect the amount of information available in
working memory.  So, the slower the rate, the more information in working
memory. Perhaps indirectly related to working memory, you could try
manipulating latency times associated with retrievals?  Faster retrieval
times would free working memory for other tasks.  

Troy Kelley
RDRL-HRS-E
Cognitive Robotics and Modeling Team Leader
Human Research and Engineering Directorate
Army Research Laboratory
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
voice: 410-278-5869 or 410-278-6748
fax: 410-278-9523
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS troy.d.kelley6.civ at mail.mil




-----Original Message-----
From: act-r-users-bounces at act-r.psy.cmu.edu
[mailto:act-r-users-bounces at act-r.psy.cmu.edu] On Behalf Of David Reitter
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 3:35 PM
To: act-r-users at act-r.psy.cmu.edu
Subject: [ACT-R-users] Inter-subject variability in declarative memory

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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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE


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