Conceptual Structure and Conceptual Tempo

1972 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Wolfe ◽  
Richard Egelston ◽  
John Powers
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Parametric Analysis ◽  
Recall Test ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Conceptual Structure ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Embedded Figures ◽  
Visual Tasks

College students selected for extremes of concrete and abstract conceptual structure were given 4 visual information-processing tasks: Matching Familiar Figures, Design Recall test, Embedded-figures test, and a task requiring identification of familiar objects presented tachistoscopically at 1/100 sec. Schroder's theory of conceptual structure provided a basis for predicting that abstract Ss would proceed more reflectively on the tasks than would concrete Ss, i.e., abstract Ss were expected to show longer response times and a higher proportion of correct responses. Results showed little generality of either speed or accuracy over tasks, and no support for the conceptual structure hypothesis. Non-parametric analysis of over-all performance indicated that abstract Ss and males tended to be both faster and more accurate in visual tasks than concrete Ss and females, respectively.

Effects of Symbol Structure on Visual Information Processing

1983 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 354-354
Author(s):  
Bruce W. Hamill ◽  
Robert A. Virzi
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Context Effects ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Search Time ◽  
Visual Information Processing ◽  
Array Size ◽  
Serial Search ◽  
Feature Structure

This investigation addresses the problem of attention in the processing of symbolic information from visual displays. Its scope includes the nature of attentive processes, the structural properties of stimuli that influence visual information processing mechanisms, and the manner in which these factors interact in perception. Our purpose is to determine the effects of configural feature structure on visual information processing. It is known that for stimuli comprising separable features, one can distinguish between conditions in which only one relevant feature differs among stimuli in the array being searched and conditions in which conjunctions of two (or more) features differ: Since the visual process of conjoining separable features is additive, this fact is reflected in search time as a function of array size, with feature conditions yielding flat curves associated with parallel search (no increase in search time across array sizes) and conjunction conditions yielding linearly increasing curves associated with serial search. We studied configural-feature stimuli within this framework to determine the nature of visual processing for such stimuli as a function of their feature structure. Response times of subjects searching for particular targets among structured arrays of distractors were measured in a speeded visual search task. Two different sets of stimulus materials were studied in array sizes of up to 32 stimuli, using both tachistoscope and microcomputer-based CRT presentation for each. Our results with configural stimuli indicate serial search in all of the conditions, with the slope of the response-time-by-array-size function being steeper for conjunction conditions than for feature conditions. However, for each of the two sets of stimuli we studied, there was one configuration that stood apart from the others in its set in that it yielded significantly faster response times, and in that conjunction conditions involving these particular stimuli tended to cluster with the feature conditions rather than with the other conjunction conditions. In addition to these major effects of particular targets, context effects also appeared in our results as effects of the various distractor sets used; certain of these context effects appear to be reversible. The effects of distractor sets on target search were studied in considerable detail. We have found interesting differences in visual processing between stimuli comprising separable features and those comprising configural features. We have also been able to characterize the effects we have found with configural-feature stimuli as being related to the specific feature structure of the target stimulus in the context of the specific feature structure of distractor stimuli. These findings have strong implications for the design of symbology that can enhance visual performance in the use of automated displays.

Effects of Speed Vs Accuracy Instructions and Field Dependence on College Students' Digit-Symbol Matching Performance

1991 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 314-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane L Wong ◽  
Andrew R. Gilpin
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Field Dependence ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Correct Digit ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Embedded Figures ◽  
Matching Performance ◽  
Group Embedded Figures Test

Correct digit-symbol matches of 68 women were significantly higher than those of 26 men. Speed instructions led to higher scores than those for accuracy or a neutral approach. Field dependence (Group Embedded Figures Test scores) interacted with instructions and field independent subjects scored higher when instructed to be accurate.

Field Dependence-Independence as Related to College Curricula

1971 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1235-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith A. DeRussy ◽  
Emily Futch
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Field Dependence ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
College Age ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Embedded Figures

32 college students took part in an experiment using Witkin's Embedded-figures Test as a measure of field dependence. It was hypothesized that: (1) students majoring in liberal arts are more field-dependent than those majoring in math, physics, and chemistry; and (2) college-age females are more field-dependent than college-age males. The data supported both hypotheses.

Inhibition and the Facilitating Effect of Noise on Interference Tasks

1968 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 947-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kent Houston
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Inhibitory Processes ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Embedded Figures

3 groups of 14 college students performed the Digit Symbol Test (DST) and Embedded-figures Test (EFT) under one of 3 conditions: varied noises to be ignored, varied noises requiring attention for a spoken command, and no noise. It was hypothesized that performance on DST, but not EFT, would be enhanced in the condition of noises to be ignored. The results supported the hypothesis. A case is made for explaining the findings in terms of an interaction between inhibitory processes.

Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Auditory and Visual Memory Tasks

2005 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desiree J. Raidy ◽  
Lauren F. V. Scharff
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Iconic Memory ◽  
Short Delay ◽  
Visual Tasks ◽  
Probe Recognition ◽  
Accuracy Performance

Probe recognition tasks have shown the effects of sleep deprivation following a full night of sleep loss. The current study investigated shorter durations of deprivation by testing 11 subjects for accuracy and response time every 2 hr. from 10 p.m. through 8 a.m. We replicated Elkin and Murray's auditory single-probe recognition task using the number triplets and added two visual tasks with number and shape triplets. Series of six stimuli were each followed by a probe, which was presented after 2.5 sec. as a short delay or 20 sec. as a long delay. Accuracy performance showed a significant decrease for the long delay beginning after 4 a.m. for the two visual tasks. Response times were significantly slower for the visual shapes task using the short delay. Visual tasks, especially shapes, may be more prone to disruption by sleep deprivation, given the visual information load and the briefness of iconic memory.

Restructuring Ability and Patterns of Physics Achievement

1979 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Wormack
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Field Dependence ◽  
Spatial Visualization ◽  
Female College Students ◽  
Psychological Differentiation ◽  
Entire Sample ◽  
Independence Model ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Embedded Figures ◽  
High Flexibility

For a sample of 24 male and 19 female college students, persons with high visualization ( F1,30 = 7.60, P < .01) and low flexibility of closure ( F1,30 = 6.54, P < .02) attained significantly higher achievement in physics than persons with low visualization or high flexibility of closure. Persons with high restructuring ability and high spatial visualization ( M = 88.64, SD = 15.6) attained a significantly higher level of physics achievement than persons with high restructuring ability and low spatial visualization ( M = 56.5, SD = 25.1). Flexibility of closure, spatial visualization, and the embedded figures test accounted for 23.8%, 18.4%, and 53% of the variability in physics achievement among the entire sample, among males, and among females, respectively. The data provided moderate support for the field-dependence—independence model of psychological differentiation and for investigators who reported a possible link between field-dependnce—independence, visualization, and extent of neurological lateralization.

Sex Differences on the Embedded-Figures Test: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of College Students in India and in the United States

1974 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 1311-1314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Brown Parlee ◽  
Jayalakshmi Rajagopal
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
College Students ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Comparison ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Cross Cultural Comparison ◽  
Embedded Figures

Data are presented which show significant sex differences on the Embedded-figures Test for college students in the United States (24 men, 24 women) and in India (23 men, 24 women). Some considerations relevant to the interpretation of such data are briefly discussed.

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