What is the proposed mechanism? Is it that they think harder about it or simply that they read more carefully? Test design criteria often specify a number of interventions to prevent mistaken readings (for example, using “NOT” rather than “not” or emphasizing queries in bold type after a long paragraph).
Cognitive strain, whatever its source, mobilizes System 2, which is more likely to reject the intuitive answer suggested by System 1.
System 1 is the impulsive, unconscious, eager but not very intelligent aspect of the mind. System 2 is slow, conscious and more thoughtful, but “lazy” and prone to accept suggestions from the System 1. Theory is that inducing cognitive strain diverts more mental resources to the System 2, which then tends to do a proper job at solving the test.
I think barely legible letters send the following message: “WTF? Someone is screwing with me, I must be more careful. I must double-check everything.” Frankly, I think the only use of this test would be to make it a part of a larger test, to measure the test subject’s effort level.
See, I find it weird that on taking the CRT (first time), I got all the answers correct, but I also answered them all instinctively, off-the-cuff, and found that taking the time to think each one through reduced my confidence significantly—but once I had all the answers confirmed (without explanations) it was easy to understand why that answer was correct.
What is the proposed mechanism? Is it that they think harder about it or simply that they read more carefully? Test design criteria often specify a number of interventions to prevent mistaken readings (for example, using “NOT” rather than “not” or emphasizing queries in bold type after a long paragraph).
Author continues:
System 1 is the impulsive, unconscious, eager but not very intelligent aspect of the mind. System 2 is slow, conscious and more thoughtful, but “lazy” and prone to accept suggestions from the System 1. Theory is that inducing cognitive strain diverts more mental resources to the System 2, which then tends to do a proper job at solving the test.
I think barely legible letters send the following message: “WTF? Someone is screwing with me, I must be more careful. I must double-check everything.” Frankly, I think the only use of this test would be to make it a part of a larger test, to measure the test subject’s effort level.
Idea: give people the test in a normal font, but with “BY THE WAY WE’RE SCREWING WITH YOU” written across the bottom.
See, I find it weird that on taking the CRT (first time), I got all the answers correct, but I also answered them all instinctively, off-the-cuff, and found that taking the time to think each one through reduced my confidence significantly—but once I had all the answers confirmed (without explanations) it was easy to understand why that answer was correct.