Fguess2 Specs

OVERVIEW

Subjects learn 80 obscure facts. The first time through the list they see the facts. The second time through the list they are tested on each item. Unlike Fguess1, they are given no feedback after each response. They are allowed to say they cannot guess. If they say they can’t guess, then half the time they are forced to guess. They return the next day for a final test on all the items.

Day 1

Presentation 1

Randomize the list of 80 facts. Show them one at a time for 4 seconds each.

Test 1

Randomize the list again.

For i = 1 to 80:

Present question I (see figure below).

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

If they say they can’t guess, for half the trials 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.

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 80 facts, for four 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. If you do not respond, sometimes the computer will go on to the next question. 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.