Substitution Heuristic for Mathematical Reasoning

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Michelle Hurst, PhD

Disqualifiers: Developmental, cognitive disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

220 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether or not adults use a substitution heuristic when reasoning about proportions. The main question it aims to answer is: Do adults use a substitution heuristic when judging non-symbolic proportions, leading them to answer an easier, yet incorrect question? Researchers will compare performance at baseline with one of two conditions in order to see if forced behavioral changes can change performance on the task. Participants will be asked to compare two images and judge which has the higher proportion of the target color. Each participant will also be assigned to one of two condition where they either receive a further incentive for correct selections or are required to use more time when making their calculations.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults who can perform basic mathematical reasoning tasks. Participants should be able to compare visual proportions and make judgments about them. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, so it's open to a broad adult population interested in cognitive research.

Inclusion Criteria

I am within the age range and have typical development.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants must speak/read sufficient English to read and complete the informed consent document

Individuals with known developmental or cognitive disorders

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Baseline Performance

Participants complete the task as it is typically administered to establish baseline performance

20 minutes

Response Delay

Participants receive the response delay intervention to assess changes in task performance

20 minutes

Additional Incentive

Participants receive an additional incentive intervention to assess changes in task performance

20 minutes

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any changes in task performance post-intervention

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Additional Incentive
• Baseline Performance
• Response Delay

Trial Overview The study investigates if adults use substitution heuristics in non-symbolic proportion judgment tasks. It compares baseline performance against conditions with additional incentives or enforced response delays to see if these factors alter the way participants approach the task.

Participant Groups

Group I: Response Delay Active Control 1 Intervention

In this arm of the experiment, participants will receive the response delay intervention.

Group II: Additional Incentive Active Control 1 Intervention

In this arm of the experiment, participants will receive the additional incentive intervention.

Group III: Baseline Performance Placebo Group 1 Intervention

In this arm of the study, participants will complete the task as it is typically administed.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Michelle Hurst, PhD

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

520+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Collaborator

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+