Performance as a function of ability, resources invested, and strategy used.
Computerized tasks allow a more fine-grained analysis of the strategy deployed in a task designed to map a specific ability than the usual assessment on the basis of only the level of performance. Manipulations expected to impair performance sometimes do not have that effect, probably because the level of performance alone can confound the assessment of the ability level if researchers ignore the strategy used. In a study with 1,872 participants, the authors applied the Spatial Orientation Dynamic Test-Revised (J. Santacreu, 1999) in single and dual task settings, identifying 3 different strategies. Strategy shifts were associated with the level of performance, as more apt individuals were more likely to shift to better strategies. Ignoring the strategies yields counterintuitive results that cannot be explained by simple, direct relations among the constructs involved.
Botella
Juan
J
Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ivan Pavlov, 6, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain. juan.botella@uam.es
Peña
Daniel
D
Contreras
María José
MJ
Shih
Pei-Chun
PC
Santacreu
José
J
D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude; D001288:Attention; D001359:Aviation / Q000193:education; D003118:Color Perception; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009949:Orientation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013998:Time Perception