The dynamics of scaling: a memory-based anchor model of category rating and absolute identification.
A memory-based scaling model--ANCHOR--is proposed and tested. The perceived magnitude of the target stimulus is compared with a set of anchors in memory. Anchor selection is probabilistic and sensitive to similarity, base-level strength, and recency. The winning anchor provides a reference point near the target and thereby converts the global scaling problem into a local comparison. An explicit correction strategy determines the final response. Two incremental learning mechanisms update the locations and base-level activations of the anchors. This gives rise to sequential, context, transfer, practice, and other dynamic effects. The scale unfolds as an adaptive map. A hierarchy of models is tested on a battery of quantitative measures from 2 experiments in absolute identification and category rating.
Petrov
Alexander A
AA
Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. apetrov@uci.edu
Anderson
John R
JR
D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012189:Retrospective Studies