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Hierarchical Bayesian models of subtask learning
journal contribution
posted on 2015-07-01, 00:00 authored by Jeromy AnglimJeromy Anglim, Sarah WyntonThe current study used Bayesian hierarchical methods to challenge and extend previous work on subtask learning consistency. A general model of individual-level subtask learning was proposed focusing on power and exponential functions with constraints to test for inconsistency. To study subtask learning, we developed a novel computer-based booking task, which logged participant actions, enabling measurement of strategy use and subtask performance. Model comparison was performed using deviance information criterion (DIC), posterior predictive checks, plots of model fits, and model recovery simulations. Results showed that although learning tended to be monotonically decreasing and decelerating, and approaching an asymptote for all subtasks, there was substantial inconsistency in learning curves both at the group- and individual-levels. This inconsistency was most apparent when constraining both the rate and the ratio of learning to asymptote to be equal across subtasks, thereby giving learning curves only 1 parameter for scaling. The inclusion of 6 strategy covariates provided improved prediction of subtask performance capturing different subtask learning processes and subtask trade-offs. In addition, strategy use partially explained the inconsistency in subtask learning. Overall, the model provided a more nuanced representation of how complex tasks can be decomposed in terms of simpler learning mechanisms.
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Journal
Journal of experimental psychology: learning, memory, and cognitionVolume
41Issue
4Pagination
957 - 974Publisher
American Psychological AssociationLocation
Washington, DCPublisher DOI
ISSN
0278-7393eISSN
1939-1285Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2015, American Psychological AssociationUsage metrics
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