Welcome to the repository for my dissertation. Here is where I will keep documentation, stimuli, and scripts for the experiments in my dissertation. Hopefully, this means I'll remember what I did when it comes time to write the thing.
Aim: To understand how using and switching between the associative and hypothesis testing systems varies across language ability. Basically, I am trying to figure out if there are any order effects to doing the Sloutsky task within-subject, and if these order effects change with individual differences in language ability.
Category learning task: The main design for this experiment comes from Kloos and Sloutsky (2008). See the documentation for this task here.
Individual difference measures: I am using multiple measures of individual differences, loosely based on the epiSLI criteria. These include:
- TOWRE (comprehension)
- KTEA (narrative, comprehension)
- Nelson-Denny vocabulary (vocabulary)
- CELF recalling sentences (grammar, expression)
Information about how to score these assessments is here
You can find a pre-registration for this study here.
Aim: To directly compare different approaches to a dual-systems model of category learning.
Category learning experiments:
- Sloutsky statistical density task (see above)
- Ashby perceptual category learning task (based on Maddox et al., 2003).
- Taxonomic/thematic classification task (based on Markman & Hutchison, 1984).
Aim: Determine whether and how language is differentially related to the associative and hypothesis testing systems. I expect that vocabulary ability will be related to use of the associative system, and that executive function ability will be related to use of the hypothesis-testing system.
Category learning task(s): Based on the results of Experiment 2, I will use either only the Sloutsky task or all three of the above tasks.
Individual difference measures:
- Nelson-Denny vocabulary
- CELF formulating sentences and recalling sentences
- Tower of London (planning)
- Switcher (cognitive flexibility)
- Go/no-go (inhibition)
The last three tasks (executive function) are built and presented using the Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL). They are included in the main download of PEBL. The only change we made was to the Switcher task; instead of seeing whole words, participants see single letters (e.g., Color --> C).
You can find a pre-registration for Experiments 2 and 3 here.