A test of the optimal classifier's independence assumption in perceptual categorization.

Full Abstract

Observers completed perceptual categorization tasks that included separate base-rate/payoff manipulations, corresponding simultaneous base-rate/payoff manipulations, and conflicting simultaneous base-rate/payoff manipulations. Performance (1) was closer to optimal for 2:1 than for 3:1 base-rate/payoff ratios and when base rates as opposed to payoffs were manipulated, and (2) was more in line with the predictions from the flat-maxima hypothesis than from the independence assumption of the optimal classifier in corresponding and conflicting simultaneous base-rate/payoff conditions. A hybrid model that instantiated simultaneously the flat-maxima and the competition between reward and accuracy maximization (COBRA) hypotheses was applied to the data. The hybrid model was superior to a model that incorporated the independence assumption, suggesting that violations of the independence assumption are to be expected and are well captured by the flat-maxima hypothesis without requiring any additional assumptions. The parameters indicated that observers' reward-maximizing decision criterion rapidly approaches the optimal value and that more weight is placed on accuracy maximization in separate and corresponding simultaneous base-rate/payoff conditions than in conflicting simultaneous base-rate/payoff conditions.

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Author information

Author/s: Bohil, Corey J (CJ); Maddox, W Todd (WT);

Affiliation: University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.

Grants: 5 R01 MH59196 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Perception & psychophysics (Percept Psychophys), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Apr; vol 65 (issue 3) : pp 478-93

Dates: Created 2003/06/04; Completed 2003/07/08; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12785076, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Percept Psychophys. 2004 Jan;66(1):104-18. (PMID: 15095944)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Models, Psychological

Models, Psychological
Visual Perception

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