Hierarchical multinomial modeling to explain individual differences in children’s clustering in free recall

• Published in: Journal of mathematical psychology Vol. 98; p. 102378
• Main Authors: Michalkiewicz, Martha, Horn, Sebastian S., Bayen, Ute J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Bayesian hierarchical modeling; Category clustering; Cognitive development; Free recall; Individual differences; Multinomial processing tree model; Bayesian hierarchical modeling; Multinomial processing tree model; Cognitive development; Free recall; Category clustering; Individual differences
• ISSN: 0022-2496; 1096-0880; 1096-0880
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmp.2020.102378

The measurement of individual differences in cognitive processes and the advancement of multinomial processing tree (MPT) models were two of William H. Batchelder’s major research interests. Inspired by his work, we investigated developmental differences between 7-year-old children, 10-year-old children, and young adults, in free recall with the pair-clustering model by Batchelder and Riefer (1980, 1986). Specifically, we examined individual differences (in initial levels and in change across multiple study–test trials) in cluster encoding, retrieval, and covariation with three basic cognitive abilities: semantic verbal understanding, short-term memory capacity, information-processing speed. Data from two developmental studies in which 228 participants freely recalled clusterable words in four study–test cycles were used for reanalysis. We combined two model extensions not linked so far (Klauer, 2010; Knapp & Batchelder, 2004). This novel combination of modeling methods made it possible to analyze the relation between individual cognitive abilities and changes in cluster encoding and retrieval across study–test cycles. Inspired by William H. Batchelder, this work illustrates how MPT modeling can contribute to the understanding of cognitive development. •Novel hierarchical version of pair-clustering model to explain individual differences.•Large heterogeneity in children’s and adults’ clustering in episodic memory.•Developmental differences mainly in the learning rate of cluster encoding across trials.•No systematic relations between cognitive-abilities measures and model parameters.