TITLE: A stochastic adventure in RT modeling: From random walks to nonlinear dynamics.
WHERE: Keats room, AVLG17, v/c to Ourimbah Science Offices.
ABSTRACT: In a broad summary of RT modeling
since 1975, I first discuss the basic premises of Relative Judgment Theory and
show how this relatively simple sequential sampling model can explain many
important features of RT data in a variety of psychological contexts. Next I
present a general nonstationary stochastic extension that includes the drift
diffusion model and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model as special cases. I show how
this complex model can be simplified by a tandem random walk decision process,
which serves as a useful approximation for tasks involving brief stimuli. The
talk concludes with evidence of nonlinear dynamics in sequential RT data using
conventional techniques and multifractal spectra.
See also:
Link, S.W. & Heath, R.A. (1975). A sequential theory of psychological discrimination. Psychometrika, 40, 77-105.
Heath, R.A. (1981). A tandem random walk model for psychological discrimination. British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 34, 76-92.
Heath, R.A. (1992). Nonstationary diffusion models for two-choice decision making. Mathematical Social Sciences, 23, 283-309.
Link, S.W. (1992). The wave theory of difference and similarity. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates.
Heath, R.A. (2000). Nonlinear dynamics: Techniques and applications in psychology. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates.
Kelly, A., Heathcote, A., Heath, R., & Longstaff, M. (2001).Response-time dynamics: Evidence for linear and low-dimensional nonlinear structure in human choice sequences. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 54, 805-840.