Dispersion of response times reveals cognitive dynamics.
Trial-to-trial variation in word-pronunciation times exhibits 1/f scaling. One explanation is that human performances are consequent on multiplicative interactions among interdependent processes-interaction dominant dynamics. This article describes simulated distributions of pronunciation times in a further test for multiplicative interactions and interdependence. Individual participant distributions of approximately 1,100 word-pronunciation times were successfully mimicked for each participant in combinations of lognormal and power-law behavior. Successful hazard function simulations generalized these results to establish interaction dominant dynamics, in contrast with component dominant dynamics, as a likely mechanism for cognitive activity.
Holden
John G
JG
Department of Psychology, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330-8255, USA. jay.holden@csun.edu
Van Orden
Guy C
GC
Turvey
Michael T
MT
D002140:California; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011930:Reaction Time; D016008:Statistical Distributions