Generality with specificity: the dynamic field theory generalizes across tasks and time scales.
A central goal in cognitive and developmental science is to develop models of behavior that can generalize across both tasks and development while maintaining a commitment to detailed behavioral prediction. This paper presents tests of one such model, the Dynamic Field Theory (DFT). The DFT was originally proposed to capture delay-dependent biases in spatial recall and developmental changes in spatial recall performance. More recently, the theory was generalized to adults' performance in a second spatial working memory task, position discrimination. Here we use the theory to predict a specific, complex developmental pattern in position discrimination. Data with 3- to 6-year-old children and adults confirm these predictions, demonstrating that the DFT achieves generality across tasks and time scales, as well as the specificity necessary to generate novel, falsifiable predictions.
Simmering
Vanessa R
VR
Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. vanessa-simmering@uiowa.edu
Spencer
John P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors