Authors: Wühr, Peter
Wühr, Bianca
Title: Disentangling the contributions of repeating targets, distractors, and stimulus positions to practice benefits in d2-like tests of attention
Language (ISO): en
Abstract: When a test of attention, such as the d2 test, is repeated, performance improves. These practice benefits threaten the validity of a test because it is impossible to separate the contributions of ability and practice, respectively, to a particular result. A possible solution to this dilemma would be to determine the sources of practice effects, and to use this knowledge for constructing tests that are less prone to practice. The present study investigates the contribution of three components of a d2-like test of attention to practice benefits: targets, distractors, and stimulus configurations. In Experiment 1, we compared practice effects in a target-change condition, where targets changed between sessions, to a target-repetition condition. Similarly, in Experiment 2, we compared practice effects in a distractor-change condition to a distractor-repetition condition. Finally, in Experiment 3, we compared practice effects in a position-repetition condition, where stimulus configurations were repeated within and between tests, to a position-change condition. Results showed that repeating targets and repeating distractors contribute to practice effects, whereas repeating stimulus configurations does not. Hence, in order to reduce practice effects, one might construct tests in which target learning is prevented, for example, by using multiple targets.
Subject Headings: Practice effects
Attention test d2
Target learning
Distractor learning
Configuration learning
Subject Headings (RSWK): Mastery learning
Lernen
Ablenkung
Prüfung
Aufmerksamkeit
Reiz
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2003/41283
http://dx.doi.org/10.17877/DE290R-23125
Issue Date: 2023-02-27
Rights link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Appears in Collections:Institut für Psychologie

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
collabra_2023_9_1_71297.pdf558.88 kBAdobe PDFView/Open


This item is protected by original copyright



This item is licensed under a Creative Commons License Creative Commons