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Cognitive modeling and multinomial processing tree (MPT) models

Psychological theories often assume that our behavior and experience are jointly determined by different latent processes. For example, in recognition memory, it can be assumed that there is actual recognition of learned items on the one hand, but also random guessing on the other hand (see figure). Similarly, "dual process models" in social psychology assume that our behavior is determined by both fast, automatic but also slower, controlled processes. In research and application, it is therefore of interest to develop methods to separate different underlying processes and to estimate their relative influence on observable behavior. Multinomial processing tree (MPT) models are suitable for this purpose. These models allow precise specification of psychological assumptions and can very easily be adapted and applied to substantive problems. An introduction to cognitive modeling with multinomial processing tree models can be found here: https://github.com/danheck/MPT-workshop

In research, we apply MPT models to substantive questions in cognitive and social psychology (e.g., to study memory, attitudes, stereotypes, moral judgments, ethical decisions, environmental behavior decisions). In addition, we are working on novel methods and implementing software packages in R to use MPT models in the context of personality psychology ("cognitive psychometrics") as well as to combine them with continuous data (e.g. reaction times).

Publications with a thematic focus:

  • Heck, D. W., & Erdfelder, E. (2017). Linking process and measurement models of recognition-based decisions. Psychological Review, 124, 442-471. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000063
  • Arnold, N. R., Heck, D. W., Bröder, A., Meiser, T., & Boywitt, D. C. (2019). Testing hypotheses about binding in context memory with a hierarchical multinomial modeling approach: A preregistered study. Experimental Psychology, 66, 239-251.
    https://doi.org/10.1027/1618-3169/a000442
  • Klein, S. A., Hilbig, B. E., & Heck, D. W. (2017). Which is the greater good? A social dilemma paradigm disentangling environmentalism and cooperation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 53, 40-49.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.06.001
  • Kroneisen, M., & Heck, D. W. (in press). Interindividual differences in the sensitivity for consequences, moral norms and preferences for inaction: Relating personality to the CNI model. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Publications with a methodological focus:

  • Heck, D. W., Arnold, N. R., & Arnold, D. (2018). TreeBUGS: An R package for hierarchical multinomial-processing-tree modeling. Behavior Research Methods, 50, 264-284. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-017-0869-7
  • Heck, D. W., & Erdfelder, E. (2016). Extending multinomial processing tree models to measure the relative speed of cognitive processes. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 23, 1440-1465. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-016-1025-6
  • Heck, D. W., Erdfelder, E., & Kieslich, P. J. (2018). Generalized processing tree models: Jointly modeling discrete and continuous variables. Psychometrika, 83, 893–918. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11336-018-9622-0