The Effect of Complexity on Training for Exploration of Non-intuitive Rules in Theory of Mind

• Published in: Journal of cognitive enhancement 2020-09, Vol.4 (3), p.323-332
• Main Authors: Yuviler-Gavish, Nirit, Faran, Doron, Berman, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Emotion; Neuropsychology; Neurosciences; Original Research; Pharmaceutical Sciences/Technology; Psychology
• ISSN: 2509-3290; 2509-3304
• DOI: 10.1007/s41465-019-00158-z

The current research focused on training to enhance exploration in Theory of Mind (ToM), using a training program based on the game SET®. (© 1988, 1991 Cannei, LLC. All rights reserved. SET® and all associated logos and taglines are registered trademarks of Cannei, LLC. Used with permission from Set Enterprises, Inc.) Two experimental groups were tasked with predicting the selections of a virtual player given a set of unknown rules governing the assignment of values to SET s, where one aspect of the rules (the fact that some values were negative) was designed to be particularly unintuitive. In the Simple Rule group, there were only four sets of values and their assignment followed a pattern, whereas in the Complex Rule group, there were many sets of values and their assignment was arbitrary, requiring greater exploration to determine them. The Simple Rule group was better at predicting more-intuitive selections of the virtual player, while the Complex Rule group was both better and faster at predicting less-intuitive selections. Hence, exposing trainees to complex rules governing others’ decisions might be used to change people’s tendency toward under-exploration in ToM.