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Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE
Published on: May 14, 2019
Pseudocontingencies can override genuine contingencies between multiple cues.
1University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. kf@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|August 13, 2010
Summary
Pseudocontingency (PC) inferences, based on base rate trends, were found to be robust even when actual cue correlations varied. This cognitive process offers approximations of correlations, proving useful in many situations.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Decision Making
- Social Cognition
Background:
- Traditional contingency assessment relies on joint frequencies of correlated cues.
- Pseudocontingency (PC) offers an alternative inference method using base rate trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend pseudocontingency (PC) assessment to multiple cues.
- To investigate the impact of actual cue intercorrelations on PC inferences.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous assessment of six contingencies between four personality cues.
- Manipulation of cue intercorrelations (zero, consistent, inconsistent with PCs).
Main Results:
- PC effects consistently reflected accurately assessed base rate trends.
- PC inferences remained unaffected by varying cue intercorrelations.
Conclusions:
- PC inferences provide approximations of actual correlations, useful under many conditions.
- While potentially misleading, PC offers a functional cognitive strategy for assessing relationships.
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