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1500 questions
41
votes
6 answers
Online data repository of research in the cognitive sciences
Sharing data is an important part of science (e.g., see APA discussion). It's also often useful to be able to have access to datasets when teaching students how to analyse data in the cognitive sciences.
What online data repositories for research…
Jeromy Anglim
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39
votes
5 answers
What is the psychology behind trolling?
For those new to the internet, trolling is an activity where one person intentionally tries to upset other members of the same community, presumably for entertainment.
This has been informally addressed in the media, normally positing that the…
zergylord
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37
votes
5 answers
Is multitasking a myth?
Often, the term 'multitasking' is applied to very busy and 'wired' people. There is an adage that women multitask better than men.
My question is, do we actually multitask? If so, what are the cognitive processes that allow this?
Or, is it a case…
user3554
35
votes
3 answers
Is there evidence that listening to music can aid/hinder concentration or performance?
I, like many computer programmers, love to listen to music while I work. I have always believed that music helps me stay focused and motivated, and improves my performance on many types of tasks, espescially "busywork". However my company's CEO…
Josh
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34
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4 answers
Is The magical number 7 still valid?
George A. Miller published "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information" in 1956 and is one of the most highly cited papers in psychology. It supposedly argues that the number of objects an…
Benny Skogberg
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34
votes
2 answers
What is the most effective maximum work duration per day?
A related question asks about the best work-break schedule for an effective eight hour work day.
This question presupposes that eight hours of work per day is a good duration and that all you need is to optimize your work-break schedule. But…
user3116
34
votes
2 answers
Neural networks with biologically plausible accounts of neurogenesis
One of the reasons artificial neural net algorithms like cascade correlation (pdf) have been generating interest is because they start with a minimal topology (just input and output unit) and recruit new hidden units as learning progresses. The draw…
Artem Kaznatcheev
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34
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2 answers
How valid is Lumosity's Brain Performance Index and what normative information is available?
Background
There is a test called Lumosity's Brain Performance Index.
A sample profile of scores might be:
Speed 680
Memory 707
Attention 277
Flexibility 304
Problem Solving 900
Overall BPI 573
I'm interested in…
40pro
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33
votes
3 answers
What color is this dress? -- And why do some see it as white and gold and others see it as black and blue?
Here's the dress (and keep reading, this is actually a serious question):
This question about this image has apparently become quite a rapidly spreading meme on the internet. And after conducting my own little home experiment I can see why! My…
John Berryman
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33
votes
2 answers
Do students exhibit rational behavior in determining study time?
While I teach some economics classes, I must admit to near complete ignorance on the optimization processes students undertake when studying. We often say that the "best" students are those who earn the highest grades. However, from (naive)…
Jason B
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33
votes
4 answers
What are good examples of applying dynamical systems in cognitive science?
I'm a mathematics and physics student very much interested in cognitive science. Recently I've been hearing about "a new approach" in cognitive science via dynamical system theory.
What are some good examples of using differential equations to…
Tomi
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33
votes
4 answers
Why do you sometimes write down one word while actually intending to write another?
I've caught myself writing (typing) "possible" instead of "possibly" a few times over the past few days, while I do intend to write "possibly". Only upon rereading the sentence I notice my mistake.
It is not a typo. I am able to touch-type on a…
Steven Jeuris
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30
votes
5 answers
Why do higher incentives lead to lower performance for non-rudimentary tasks?
I have watched a number of times this excellent video where Dan Pink discusses the science of motivation. The video states that the higher incentives, the lower performance for non-rudimentary (not easy and quick) tasks.
Why is this true for…
David
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30
votes
1 answer
How long should I work before taking a break?
I'd like to work as effectively as possible for 8-9 hours a day, whether at work or studying.
At some point in completing my major in psych I remember hearing about the importance of taking breaks while doing work (e.g., Trougakos and Hideg, 2009 on…
arturomp
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30
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2 answers
How are newly created neurons recruited into existing networks?
As far as I understand, the basics of neurogenesis (abstracted down to the level that makes sense to a computer scientist) is as follows:
Neural progenitor cells differentiate into new neurons that have zero (or very few) synaptic connections, but…
Artem Kaznatcheev
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- 70
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