Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026
13:40
Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking
Published on: December 16, 2010
Perceptual automaticity in expert chess players: parallel encoding of chess relations.
E M Reingold1, N Charness, R S Schultetus
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. reingold@psych.utoronto.ca
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|November 10, 2001
Summary
Novice chess players show slower reaction times when distractors are present in check detection. Experts demonstrate automatic processing of chess relationships, unaffected by distractors or complex cues.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Artificial Intelligence
Background:
- Chess expertise involves complex cognitive processes.
- Understanding how players detect checks is crucial for AI development and cognitive modeling.
- Previous research highlights differences between novice and expert chess players' visual processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying check detection in chess.
- To compare novice and expert players' performance on check detection tasks with varying complexity.
- To explore the impact of distractors and cued attackers on reaction times and accuracy.
Main Methods:
- A 5x5 chessboard section with a King and 1-2 potential checking pieces was used.
- Manipulated checking status (check present/absent) and number of attackers (one/two).
- Introduced cued attacker trials to assess Stroop-like interference.
Main Results:
- Novice players exhibited a greater reaction time cost from distractors in 'no check' trials compared to 'yes check' trials.
- Expert players did not show this differential reaction time cost.
- Stroop-like interference was observed when a cued non-checking attacker appeared with a checking attacker.
Conclusions:
- Chess experts appear to encode chess relations automatically and in parallel.
- Cognitive strategies differ significantly between novice and expert chess players.
- Findings inform models of expertise and visual search in complex domains.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Parallel Processing
The brain processes sensory information rapidly due to parallel processing, which involves sending data across multiple neural pathways at the same time. This method allows the brain to manage various sensory qualities, such as shapes, colors, movements, and locations, all concurrently. For instance, when observing a forest landscape, the brain simultaneously processes the movement of leaves, the shapes of trees, the depth between them, and the various shades of green. This enables a quick and...
01:19Encoding
Information enters the brain through encoding, which is the input of information into the memory system. Once sensory information is received from the environment, the brain labels or codes it. The information is then organized with similar information and connected to existing concepts. Encoding occurs through automatic processing and effortful processing.
Automatic processing involves the encoding of details like time, space, frequency, and the meaning of words, usually done without conscious...
Automatic processing involves the encoding of details like time, space, frequency, and the meaning of words, usually done without conscious...
01:23Storage
A schema is a mental framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. Schemata, formed from previous experiences, influence how we process new information: how we encode it, the inferences we make, and how we retrieve it. For instance, a schema for what a typical classroom looks like might include desks, a teacher's desk, a whiteboard, and students in such an environment. This expectation helps us quickly understand and navigate new classrooms without needing to analyze each...
01:24Implicit Memories
Implicit memories, also known as non-declarative memories, are long-term memories that function outside of conscious awareness. These memories influence behavior and skills without explicit knowledge. This type of memory is evident in tasks like playing tennis, snowboarding, and texting. Implicit memory has three subsystems: procedural memory, conditioning, and priming. This type of memory is essential in various activities, from everyday tasks to specialized skills.
One key aspect of implicit...
One key aspect of implicit...
01:30Impact of Schemas
Schemas are cognitive structures that provide a framework for interpreting and organizing social information. They help individuals navigate complex environments by offering expectations about people, events, and behaviors. Schemas influence attention, encoding, and retrieval processes, thereby shaping the entire trajectory of information processing in social contexts.Attention and Cognitive LoadDuring initial attention, schemas function as filters that prioritize schema-consistent information,...
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...