Abstract
Response times (RTs) are a natural kind of data to investigate cognitive processes underlying cognitive test performance. We give an overview of modeling approaches and of findings obtained with these approaches. Four types of models are discussed: response time models (RT as the sole dependent variable), joint models (RT together with other variables as dependent variable), local dependency models (with remaining dependencies between RT and accuracy), and response time as covariate models (RT as independent variable). The evidence from these approaches is often not very informative about the specific kind of processes (other than problem solving, information accumulation, and rapid guessing), but the findings do suggest dual processing: automated processing (e.g., knowledge retrieval) vs. controlled processing (e.g., sequential reasoning steps), and alternative explanations for the same results exist. While it seems well-possible to differentiate rapid guessing from normal problem solving (which can be based on automated or controlled processing), further decompositions of response times are rarely made, although possible based on some of model approaches.
Highlights
Cognitive tests are meant to measure abilities
We introduce a symbolic notation for the models: Tpi for the response time of person p and item i; Api for the response accuracy of person p and item i; ← to indicate which variable is the dependent or independent variable; for example, Tpi ← means that response time is the dependent variable
We will first discuss the general finding of local dependency, followed by some considerations regarding cognitive process modeling based on response times
Summary
Response times (RTs) are a natural kind of data to investigate cognitive processes underlying cognitive test performance. Four types of models are discussed: response time models (RT as the sole dependent variable), joint models (RT together with other variables as dependent variable), local dependency models (with remaining dependencies between RT and accuracy), and response time as covariate models (RT as independent variable) The evidence from these approaches is often not very informative about the specific kind of processes (other than problem solving, information accumulation, and rapid guessing), but the findings do suggest dual processing: automated processing (e.g., knowledge retrieval) vs controlled processing (e.g., sequential reasoning steps), and alternative explanations for the same results exist.
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