In Journal Club, students and professors talk together about exciting new psychology research. By reading and discussing a short, current article, students learn necessary skills about understanding and interpreting psychological research.

 

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, 4:30-5:30pm, Centenary Square 210
Discussion led by Dr. Jessica Alexander (PSY317 Sensation & Perception)

Eliminating the Low-Prevalence Effect in Visual Search With a Remarkably Simple Strategy

J. Eric T. Taylor, Matthew D. Hilchey, Blaire J. Weidler, & Jay Pratt

The low-prevalence effect in visual search occurs when rare targets are missed at a disproportionately high rate. This effect has enormous significance for health and public safety and has proven resistant to intervention. In three experiments (Ns = 41, 40, and 44 adults), we documented a dramatic reduction of the effect using a simple cognitive strategy requiring no training. Instead of asking participants to search for the presence or absence of a target, as is typically done in visual search tasks, we asked participants to engage in “similarity search”—to identify the display element most similar to a target on every trial, regardless of whether a target was present. When participants received normal search instructions, we observed strong low-prevalence effects. When participants used similarity search, we failed to detect the low-prevalence effect under identical visual conditions across three experiments.

 

Thursday, October 26th, 2023, 4:30-5:30pm, Centenary Square 210
Discussion led by Dr. Adam Blancher (PSY362 Foundations of Psychopathology)

article tbd

 

Monday, November 6th, 2023, 4:30-5:30pm, Centenary Square 210
Discussion led by Dr. Pete Zunick (PSY357 Attitudes & Persuasion)

article tbd

 

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Amy Hammond in the Psychology Department.