Fguess1 Specs

OVERVIEW

Subjects learn 40 obscure facts. The first time through the list they see the facts. The second time through the list they are tested on each item. They are allowed to say they cannot guess. If they respond, they get immediate feedback. If they say they can’t guess, then depending on the value of a coinflip they either (i) get immediate feedback, or (ii) are forced to guess, at which time they get immediate feedback. They return the next day for a final test on all the items.

Day 1

Presentation 1

Randomize the list of 40 facts. Show them one at a time for 8 second each.

Test 1

Randomize the list again.

For i = 1 to 40:

Present question I (see figure below).

Subject gets opportunity to respond if they wish, or to say “Can’t guess”.

If they give an answer, show them feedback (either show CORRECT for 5 seconds, or if they are wrong show question and correct answer for 5 seconds).

If they say they can’t guess, “flip a coin” and based on the coinflip, either (a) give them feedback as described above, or (b) insist that they guess.

Sorry but we have to insist that you guess!

What City was Edgar Allen Poe Born In? __________

Now do not continue until they type in an answer. Then give them immediate feedback just as in the other conditions.

Data Storage

Presentations: Store one row per presentation, indicating what fact was presented.

Test: Store one row per item, indicating (a) what fact was tested; (b) subject’s responded? (yes or no); (c) subject’s response if any; (d) subject’s confidence; (e) if the subject didn’t respond, value of coinflip = “continue” or “forced response”; (f) subject’s forced response if the coinflip yielded “forced response”.

Day 2

Subject gets a final test on all items in a new random order. Require them to respond to everything. Save data in the same file as Day 1 data, adding a new column to the data from Test 1 on Day 1 (a column labeled “correct on Day 2”) taking values yes or no. Also store what word they said.

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PRESENTATION

Now we are ready to begin. The computer is going to try to teach you some obscure but interesting facts. Please do your best to learn each fact you are shown. First we’re going to go through the list of 40 facts, for six seconds per fact.

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE TEST

Now we are ready to begin a test to help your learning of these facts. The computer is going to ask you a question based on each fact. If you have absolutely no idea and feel you cannot even make much of a guess, please click “I can’t even guess”. Otherwise, type in your best answer, and then using the mouse click one of the five buttons to indicate how confident you are, from “Low confidence” to “Very high confidence” if you feel very sure you’re right. After you respond, the computer will tell you the answer. If you do not respond, sometimes the computer will tell you the correct answer. However, sometimes it will stubbornly insist that you guess! If that happens, try your best to come up with some at least slightly plausible guess that might have some chance of being right. I.e., please don’t just give a joke answer. We know it may be somewhat annoying to have to guess when you’ve already said you don’t know, but please do your best when this happens.”

INSTRUCTIONS ON DAY 2

Today we are going to test you on all the obscure facts we taught you yesterday. You will be required to make your best guess on each item. Please take a moment and try your best on each item. Thanks for your participation.