Questions tagged [mathematical-psychology]
For questions about the mathematical approach to psychology concerned with analytic modeling of motor/perceptual/cognitive processes and quantifying stimulus and response.
51
questions
32
votes
4answers
3k views
What are good examples of applying dynamical systems in cognitive science?
I'm a mathematics and physics student very much interested in cognitive science. Recently I've been hearing about "a new approach" in cognitive science via dynamical system theory.
What are some ...
23
votes
2answers
785 views
Performance of a group solving a cognitive task: How does it scale?
Some intellectual, cognitive and perceptual tasks can be solved collaboratively. It is common knowledge that group performance is better than that of each single individual due to exchange of ...
22
votes
2answers
2k views
Applications of computational learning theory in the cognitive sciences
Computational learning theory (CoLT) is a branch of theoretical computer science associated with the mathematical analysis of machine learning. A lot of the early ideas of the field take inspiration ...
21
votes
1answer
2k views
How well can a human-generated “random number” be predicted?
For example, if i ask an individual to write a 20-number-long sequence of random numbers from 0 to 10. How well can I predict the 20th number from the initial 19?
More generally,
How well can ...
20
votes
1answer
663 views
Evolutionary game theory in the cognitive sciences
Game theory models something very relevant to psychologists (in particular social psychologists): conflict and cooperation between decision-makers. Unfortunately, classical game theory demands that ...
19
votes
5answers
3k views
Is there an R implementation of the linear ballistic accumulator model or Ratcliff's diffusion model for measuring response time and accuracy?
I am looking for an implementation of the linear ballistic accumulator model or Ratcliff's diffusion model (e.g. in R, MATLAB, or Python).
17
votes
2answers
10k views
Which equation is Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve and what do the constants represent?
First off, I've come across two different forgetting curve equations.
$$R = e^{-\large \frac{t}{s}}$$ where $R$ is retention, $t$ is time and $s$ is strength can be found on Wikipedia. And $$b = \...
12
votes
3answers
439 views
Is there a random walk theory that can account for situations with more than two choices?
In the article "Two-stage Dynamic Signal Detection: A Theory of Choice, Decision Time, and Confidence" from 2010 by Pleskac and Busemeyer, a random walk model is presented for situations where a ...
12
votes
3answers
577 views
Introductory resources on bayesian modeling for cognitive sciences
On Cross Validated there is a great question about best introductory books for bayesian statistics. Also, Jeromy Anglim blogged recently about use of JAGS, rjags, and Bayesian Modelling, with some ...
11
votes
3answers
8k views
What areas of mathematics support the study of cognitive science?
Which areas of mathematics can be formally studied in a cognitive science major? Or: which areas of mathematics can support the study of brain. Some areas that seem relevant would be: mathematical ...
11
votes
2answers
185 views
Perception of probability of being right
The probability that people percept may be different from the real one due to a number of factors, including the form in which their are presented, their context and biases (due to misinformation or ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
What are the mathematical models of memory?
Are there mathematical models of memory in humans or animals?
I want to know how neuroscientists use mathematics to describe memory in living creatures. How do neuroscientists model memory and show ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Math or Physics: Which is the more relevant background to enter Cognitive Sciences and Psychology? [closed]
What would be a more suitable background to enter cognitive sciences, mathematical psychology, and study of emotions? I have the option of taking a Integrated Masters Degree in Mathematical Sciences, ...
10
votes
1answer
536 views
Refinements of Rescorla-Wagner model of classical conditioning
The Rescorla-Wagner model is one of the most commonly discussed mathematical models of classical conditioning. It was wildly popular when it came out in 1972, and very successful. The same math, is ...
9
votes
4answers
411 views
Can humans be reduced to a function?
Based on an article by UK Essays, we are nothing more than robots that operate based on our past experience and other factors like amount of neurotransmitters, hormones, and other chemicals, trying to ...
9
votes
2answers
7k views
Calculating d-prime
I'm currently working on a research that has to use and calculate D Prime values for a task where subjects are presented an image at different speeds and they have to report if they saw the image or ...
9
votes
2answers
199 views
How do humans optimize noisy multi-variable functions in experimental settings?
Imagine an experiment like this:
A participant is asked to optimize an unknown function (let's say minimize) .
On each trial the participant provides several input values, and receives an output ...
9
votes
1answer
392 views
The mind as a state of matter or physical system?
What examples of attempts to formalize a principled physical basis for consciousness and/or a general theory of the mind exist?
I read a fascinating ArXiV preprint last year called Consciousness as a ...
9
votes
1answer
156 views
What are some good references for preprocessing and analysis of the P300 response from EEG data in Python?
I have just started to work on problems in neuroscience on my own. I sought to analyze the P300 response from EEG data because I was trying to understand a Kaggle.com challenge that used it. I found ...
8
votes
1answer
222 views
Appropriate metric(s) for quantifying the accuracy gain obtained from averaging dyads of estimates instead of adopting individual estimates?
Background
The question relates to research I am doing into the Wisdom of Crowds effect (Galton, 1907; Page, 2007; Surowiecki, 2004), in which an average of the estimates made by individuals proves ...
8
votes
2answers
466 views
Best practice to handle double negatives when using the expectancy-value model?
My question is regarding the multiplicative combination rule in the Expectancy-value model developed by Fishbein and Ajzen, and the issues regarding the expectancy value-muddle, or the case of "double ...
7
votes
2answers
549 views
Behaviorist interpretations of decision field theory
Decision field theory is usually presented as a dynamic cognitive model of decision making. However, in its basic form, the theory seems to only be concerned with behavior (decisions) and stimuli (...
7
votes
0answers
286 views
Difference between Logan's Instance theory and Exemplar-Based Random Walk (EBRW) theory
I'm trying to find a clear explanation of the difference between Logan's instance theory (Logan, 2002) and the Exemplar-Based Random Walk theory (Nosofsky & Palmari, 1997). Am I mistaken that they ...
6
votes
2answers
210 views
Does Andler's (2012) article on 'Mathematics in Cognitive Science' provide an accurate picture of mathematics in cognitive science?
Andler (2012) wrote:
What role does mathematics play in cognitive science today, what role
should mathematics play in cognitive science tomorrow? The cautious
short answers are: to the factual ...
5
votes
4answers
718 views
What are good introductory books on mathematical psychology?
I have a background in physics and has enough knowledge in Fourier analysis, group & representation theory, projective geometry, complexity theory, and dynamical systems theory. What introductory ...
5
votes
4answers
757 views
How has geometry been applied in cognitive science?
What areas of geometry are used in psychology/cognitive science/neuroscience? Are the applications of a sophisticated nature or superficial?
5
votes
1answer
132 views
How does TD-learning explain trace conditioning?
I'm reading Reinforcement learning and causal models by Sam Gershman, which states that TD-learning provides an account of second-order conditioning that provides an explanation for the phenomenon ...
4
votes
1answer
84 views
Why do we have so much neurological research on and treatment designed for dyslexia, yet less so for dyscalculia?
I know next to nothing about intervention methods designed for dyscalculia, or 'dyslexia with numbers', as I have heard it colloquially referred to (considering how obscure the term seems to be ...
4
votes
0answers
303 views
Test-retest reliability of Iowa gambling task performance and Expectancy Valence Model parameters
I've just been learning about the Expectancy Valence Model of the Iowa Gambling Task (see Busemeyer & Stout, 2002; Yechiam et al 2005). The model includes three parameters: motivation, learning-...
3
votes
1answer
135 views
What introductory material is available linking complexity theory to cognitive science?
Does complexity theory speak to cognitive science?
If yes, where can I find some material to explore that is suitable for undergraduate level understanding?
In particular, is there any audio contennt ...
3
votes
2answers
407 views
How often are complex networks and graph theory useful in computational neuroscience?
Complex networks and graph theory seem like they would be important for computational neuroscience, but they don't come up in the literature as often as I would expect. I'm wondering how frequently ...
3
votes
1answer
66 views
Why do psychologists often not use mathematical models to express their theories?
I come from an economics background where people often written explicit mathematical models for their theories. To be clear, the vast majority of economic models are not useful quantitatively — the ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
What makes some things difficult or easy to understand?
I am thinking really deep about this topic with no answer. For example while learning set theory first time you find it very difficult to get your head around ...
3
votes
0answers
52 views
Understanding the transition from integrated form to ODE form of neuron models
I'm trying to convert a fairly complicated neuron model from integrated form (a form of the spike response model) to ODE form for use in the BRIAN simulator.
The BRIAN simulator requires neuron/...
3
votes
1answer
125 views
Can a human select truly random numbers if he/she chose to? [duplicate]
It is known that humans are worse than computers at random number generation, and that even computer's random numbers are often imperfect and predictable.
What strategies could a human employ to ...
3
votes
0answers
31 views
SaccadeAngular velocity Matlab [closed]
I have the data for a monkey's eye position in a cartesian plane synced to the time. I can convert the numbers into polar form however I'm not too sure how to find the angular velocity at that point. ...
3
votes
0answers
121 views
Book review for “Qualitative Mathematics for the Social Sciences” [closed]
Has anyone read/reviewed this book - Qualitative Mathematics for the Social Sciences? I have been trying to find a credible review on the reliability of the book.
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Number of exercises and the learning of some subject?
For example, I show to my students that XY=Z, so I ask for them to do some exercises, so in the future, they will always know that XY=Z.
Is there any known study relating the numbers of exercises ...
2
votes
0answers
38 views
Are people better at interpreting CNF or DNF?
We have a development in our application in which our users can create a report based on different parameters, say ($x_1,\dots,x_n$), with each $x_i$ taking values in a set $X_i$.
The report can take ...
2
votes
0answers
110 views
What is the relationship between a strong work ethic and an honest reputation and individual success?
We're all being constantly told that strong work ethics, honestly reputation and all similar things is the key and the only key to success. But observation of success of certain politicians, marketing ...
2
votes
0answers
93 views
Mathematical models of learning [closed]
Looking for a list of the most common mathematical models of learning. In particular, I am interested in models that explain behavior such as "learning by doing" or "learning from others".
2
votes
0answers
70 views
Where to publish a short (mathematical) neuroscience article?
I am writing an article about a computational method, which is relatively widely used in a small subfield of neuroscience (it is easy to identify ~20 recent articles that used it in 2013-2015).
The ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Rat between two walls viewed as a product in a category
I'm reading the book "A New Foundation for Representation in Cognitive Brain Science - Category Theory and the Hippocampus" by Jaime Gómez-Ramirez (a terrible book, if you ask me).
On p. 164 the ...
1
vote
0answers
22 views
Are there specialized strategies for those with slight math disabilities? [closed]
I don't have very strong Dyscalculia, but I still have a generalized math disability, and despite receiving double-time to do quizzes and exams in my Calculus 1 course, I am still struggling to ...
1
vote
0answers
61 views
Do we know anything about the psychology of “irrational numbers” [closed]
Do we know anything about the psychology of "irrational numbers".
I'm asking because irrational numbers, like pi, seem to baffle some people. raise questions like "why" in ways that basic arithmetic ...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
How to create a non cogntive index
I am currently trying to make a non-cognitive index using questions/variables. However there are following problems;
(a) The scales of the questions/variables vary, so I have a scale from 1 to 4 and ...
1
vote
0answers
63 views
Is it necessary to read signals and systems before statistical signal processing/ detection theory [closed]
For one who is interested in computational neuroscience and brain computer interface, in university curriculum (e.g. BCCN Berlin), it requires a course in statistical signal processing / signal ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Are there mathematical models for multi-utility satisfaction?
In several places I have seen reference to the law of diminishing returns with regard to satisfaction. A common toy example is eating cookies. The first cookie gives some amount of satisfaction, the ...
-1
votes
1answer
367 views
What kinds of math to learn for understanding dynamic systems in cognitive science? [closed]
A current trend in cognitive science is to view the mind as a dynamic system (e.g., Continuity of Mind by Spivey, in which cognition is understood as a "continuous and often recurrent trajectory ...
-1
votes
1answer
69 views
Build model to explain data [closed]
I'm not a psychology student, but I'm doing a subjective experiment which is similar to magnitude estimation: simply measure the effect of different stimulus through a number from 1-10.
Now I need to ...
