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A motivationally-based simulation of performance degradation under pressure
Nicholas R Wilson1, Ron Sun, Robert C Mathews
1Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Department of Cognitive Sciences, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
Abstract:
The CLARION cognitive architecture has been shown to be capable of simulating and explaining a wide range of psychological tasks and data. Currently, two theories exist to explain the psychological phenomenon of performance degradation under pressure: the distraction theory and the explicit-monitoring theory. However, neither provides a detailed mechanistic explanation of the exact processes involved. We propose such a detailed theory within the CLARION cognitive architecture that takes into account motivation and the interaction between explicit and implicit processes. We then use our theory to provide a plausible explanation of some existing data. The data are simulated using the theory within the CLARION cognitive architecture.
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