Abstracts of the Psychonomic Society — Volume 14 — November ...

Saturday Afternoon Papers 248–254
well as did the original scenes. In Experiment 2, however, conceptually
similar scenes were found to cue recall as well as the original scenes.
These experiments show that both the original contexts of events and contexts
similar to the original ones can have robust cuing effects in recall.
5:10–5:25 (248)
Remember Source Memory ROCs Indicate Recollection Is a Continuous
Process. SCOTT D. SLOTNICK, Boston College—The dualprocess
model assumes that memory is based on recollection (retrieval
with specific detail) or familiarity (retrieval without specific detail). A
current debate is whether recollection is a threshold (all-or-none) process
or, like familiarity, is a continuous (graded) process. In the present study,
two continuous models and two threshold models of recollection were
evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. These
models included the continuous signal detection unequal variance model
and the threshold dual-process model. In the study phase of two experiments,
objects were presented to the right or left of fixation. At test,
participants made “remember” or “know” responses and source memory
(spatial location) confidence ratings. Recollection ROCs were generated
from “remember” source memory confidence ratings. Neither threshold
model adequately fit the recollection ROCs. By contrast, the continuous
models adequately fit one or both recollection ROCs. The present results
indicate that both recollection and familiarity are continuous processes.
Applications of Decision Making
Independence Ballroom, Saturday Afternoon, 3:50–5:25
Chaired by Frederick V. Malmstrom, U.S. Air Force Academy
3:50–4:05 (249)
A Behavioral Economic Model of Addiction. FREDERICK V.
MALMSTROM & DAVID MULLIN, U.S. Air Force Academy, & GARY
MEARS, University of the Rockies—Economic models of addiction behavior
have traditionally emphasized rational decision making by use
of intertemporal utility functions. This study modifies previous models
by focusing on interactions between the rational and emotional brain
centers. Our model uses an economic barter-exchange framework to
describe steady state demand-side behavior. Chemical models of addiction
behavior have been shown to involve a three-way interaction with
the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens, and the insula. Here, we
pay particular attention to the delay of gratification. This model may be
simulated through Monte Carlo processes and tested through existing
data from compulsory intervention processes to determine its steady
state equilibrium. Finally, this model investigates why rational models
of addiction treatment, such as compulsory (e.g., 12-step court ordered)
and pure informational (e.g., Just-Say-No) programs, have limited
effectiveness.
4:10–4:25 (250)
Dynamics of Future Discounting and Fluctuating Blood Glucose.
X. T. WANG & ROBERT D. DVORAK, University of South Dakota—
Little is known about how fluctuating blood glucose levels affect cognitive
functions. The present study explored metabolic mechanisms of
future discounting, a choice phenomenon where people value present
goods over future goods. Using fluctuating blood glucose as an index of
body energy budget, optimal discounting should regulate choice among
rewards as a function of temporal caloric requirement. We identified
this novel link between glucose levels measured in vivo and future discounting
in an experiment where participants made choices between a
smaller–sooner reward and a larger–later option, with possible actual
monetary consequences. In contrast to the zero-sugar drink group, the
sugar drink group showed a reduced future discount rate after drink,
when controlling for sex, age, body mass index, and the taste rating of
the drink. The blood glucose levels not only varied as a result of caloric
intake, but also regulated the rate of future discounting according to
body energy budget.
4:30–4:45 (251)
A Causal Contrast Theory of Moral Intuitions in Trolley Dilemmas.
MICHAEL R. WALDMANN & ALEX WIEGMANN, University of
38
Göttingen—In trolley dilemmas, a train is about to kill several victims
who could be saved if, instead, a different victim is harmed. A number of
theories have been proposed that assume that permissibility judgments
in these dilemmas are mediated by an assessment of the causal structure
entailed by the proposed interventions. For example, it has been postulated
that it is permissible to harm people as a side effect, but not as a
means of saving others. We have developed a different causal theory,
according to which reasoners primarily focus on the relevant targets of
the proposed interventions (e.g., threats, victims), and contrast the moral
consequences of the causal paths of these targets in the presence versus
absence of the intervention. We will show that this causal contrast theory
explains intuitions in various types of trolley dilemmas better than its
competitors.
4:50–5:05 (252)
Temporal Discounting and Risk: Different Strategies for Different
Tasks. MARY KAY STEVENSON, STEPHEN HONG, & SHARON
ALKIRE, California State University, East Bay—Previous research
has shown that when participants judge and define their preferences
for future losses or risky losses, a slope reversal is reliably obtained.
Participants’ responses are described by a steeper slope across losses
for the longest delay and a steeper slope across losses for the smallest
probability of losing. This study describes the impact of reversing the
response scale so that the participants judged the unattractiveness of
the events and the outcomes they preferred the least. Participants also
evaluated the same stimuli in terms of how attractive the outcomes were
or how much they preferred one of two options. Several prediction strategies
for identifying individual differences were also tested. The results
are discussed in terms of a theoretical framework that can be used to
account for the slope reversal effect.
5:10–5:25 (253)
Managing Exposure to Risk: Strategies and Influences. SANDRA L.
SCHNEIDER, NATHANIEL DECKER, & MOUMITA MUKHERJEE,
University of South Florida—How decision makers deal with risk is a
topic that is typically studied within the “risky choice” paradigm often
associated with studies based on Kahneman and Tversky’s prospect
theory. In this presentation, we provide a series of empirical and simulated
results to show that risk responses are often qualitatively different
from what would be expected when focusing exclusively on risky choice.
In particular, we demonstrate that risk tolerance is markedly reduced
when individuals take an active role in managing their risk exposure,
when people feel threatened, and when people make decisions with a
partner. In addition, we show that decision-making models that do not
take into account context-based goals and dynamic contingencies cannot
effectively meet the needs of decision makers, because there is no
mechanism to protect decision makers from unnecessary exposure to
catastrophic losses or to avail them of serendipitous opportunities for
windfall gains.
Cognitive Control II
Back Bay Ballroom C, Saturday Afternoon, 4:10–5:25
Chaired by Ines Jentzsch, University of St Andrews
4:10–4:25 (254)
Control Adjustments After Alternation-Based Response Conflict.
INES JENTZSCH, University of St Andrews—Recently, we proposed
that response alternations in unidimensional tasks can produce response
conflict and subsequent processing adjustments (Jentzsch & Leuthold,
2005, JEP:HPP). The aim of the present experiments was to more clearly
specify the mechanisms of such alternation-based response conflict.
In four experiments the response–stimulus interval (RSI) and speed–
accuracy instruction were manipulated. Emphasis on speed rather than
accuracy should reduce the amount of executive control, leading to a reduced
behavioral adjustment after conflict. Participants responded generally
more slowly and more accurately under accuracy than under speed
instructions. Alternation-based interference was reduced more under
speed than under accuracy instruction and systematically decreased with
increasing RSI. In sum, these finding suggests that control adjustments