Dr. Grayden Solman, Allan Cheyne and Daniel Smilek from the University of Waterloo (Canada) published “Found and missed: Failing to recognize a search target despite moving it” in Cognition. They describe what they term an “unpacking” experience- our ability to search and find an object. The issue is that while searching for an item, we often have already found the object we seek- we just don’t realize it’s in our grasp. It seems that our various executive functions are all operating at different speeds- and our perception, our ability to coalesce this knowledge, is not able to keep pace.
The ‘unpacking’ experience described in this series of experiments involved a computer-based task that had the subjects search through piles of colored shapes on the computer screen. The subjects were to find a specific shape quickly (the computer monitored their actions). The computer noted that between 10% and 20% of the time, the subjects would miss the object- even though they had already “picked” it up.
To discern how and why our brains did this, additional experiments were devised. First, the researchers hoped to load up the subjects “working memory” [discussed in Cerebrations previously] (the authors termed this ‘memory load’), by having them memorize lists of items that they were required to recall later. This clearly deteriorated their search performance, but it did not change the percentage error (the overshoot in recognizing that they “caught” the target).
This led to the next series of tests, which were developed to see if the subjects were just not paying sufficient attention to the task at hand. As such, the task entailed moving a stack of cards whose shapes were only evident when the card was being moved. But, this task also involved no change in percentage error.
It turns out that the subjects’ movements were slower after they moved and missed their target. In other words, part of the brain did recognize that the target was obtained- even if the executive action had not fully coordinated this knowledge to cease looking for the target. The motor and processor functions of the brain are seemingly out of sync, (Hmm. I guess that means my lament that “I always find my keys in the last place I look” may not be true!)
This may mean that when you are seeking an object, slowing down- giving your visual processing system sufficient time to process information- may actually help you find the object faster. This may be important when Homeland Security is examining our luggage- or when we are trying to find a specific name in a long list.
It also has ramifications for those folks who try to multitask or time-slice. Searching for an object may not be one of those things that is easily handled as part of multitasking. After all, multitasking performance seems to be a function of the size of our working memory; this study showed that whether our working memory is fully laden or not, we can overshoot the target (not realize we have achieved success) 10% to 20% of the time. (Of course, we can do that if we are NOT multitasking, too!)
That explains it! 🙂 Really fascinating, Roy. I guess it also takes away my argument that I have too much data in my head and that causes my Doh moments. 🙂
Cathy:
Those were my thoughts- by my moments seem to scan the scale from Doh to Ti- and back to Doh, again…
Roy
Unpacking was a term that was used by the Dept of Ed’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, as was Scaffolding, Reflecting, and Journaling…all terms I now dislike. I’d unpack my meaning, but on reflection I’ll just scaffold my objections in my journal.
Stuart Nager recently posted..Wednesday’s Child (Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign)
Watch out, Stuart. I’m packing (no, with my mental acuities, the only weapon of choice)- and I’m about to unpack mine to refract your scaffolding. Journal that!
Roy
I love insights like this into understanding our operating system. It makes sense to slow down and apply mental focus in times when we’re seeking out a specific thing. Obviously, the more rushed, stressed or panicked we are about locating a piece of information, something from our memory or a lost item, it appears the more likely we are to overlook it. Slowing down in general and using focus, things that go against the grain of multi-tasking, are becoming lost skills. There are times when we can multi-task effectively but it is not a tool to apply in every situation. Great article, Roy!
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..Celebrating Sy’s Fund
Thanks for amplifying and clarifying the post, Tambre!!!!
It’s why it takes a village to get great action…
Very interesting but I have a lot of questions in my head now (I must be the slowest of your readers! 🙁 )
What about speed tests? In psychological testing we have a lot of speed tests – assessing mental speed to process information. But if slowing down a bit makes it possible for better information processing, then don’t speed tests lose their objective?
While searching for an object from among a larger number of objects; is similarity and difference influencing the result in any way for this study. I mean, is it easier to find a red ball among a large number of yellow balls, but tougher to spot a red ball among multi-colored balls?
I hope my questions make sense..
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I don’t think you are performing sorting in the speed test, Hajra. But, I’ll bet there’s a sweet spot between speed and accuracy on them as well.
i think the jury is out on how much difference one needs to render an object more “findable”. After all, when you are looking for your keys, it’s among tons of possessions that are NOT keys… And, there is that wonderful experiment where folks are instructed to count how many times the ball is passed and miss the bear walking across the basketball court… That’s pretty different.
Roy
My “Memory Load” is just that. Guess I need to slow down in order to help me find my way, huh?
Better start unpacking.
Thanks Roy
Cindy Murphy recently posted..How To Create A Facebook Fanpage Unique URL
Absolutely, Cindy.
That way you can stay awhile 🙂 ….
Roy
Oh the words that are used to describe things. And the reaction to the semantics (Stuart). In my experience, I tend to forget what has little relevance but I do manage to recall things when I have to. And while I used to memorize those lists, I really won’t do it anymore. I think I could, I just choose not to do it any longer. It might be discernment or it might just be that I am a stubborn fool who is getting mature and uncontrollable by others.
Roberta recently posted..Building Teams- A Warning about..
Memorizing lists- and seeking items are slightly different, Roberta. When we have piles of paper on our desk and we need to find one, that’s when this sort of schema applies.
But, I agree with you- no need to memorize things just to memorize them. The idea is to declutter- our desks, our files, and our minds….
But Roy, if we declutter, we won’t have all these wonderful puns. Personally I like my cluttered desk, mind, surroundings etc because even though there is order in the universe, all I see is clutter and chaos. If I have too much personal order, I won’t be able to exist at all in the chaos.
Ann recently posted..Focusing on Who: Three Target Audiences for Your Business Blog
OK, Ann…
I’ll have to defer to your wishes. We all have our own favorite milieu…
Roy
Hi Roy,
Interesting thought about the brain. I couldn’t help but also think of the underlying thought that we can miss success when it is right in front of us. Sometimes thinking it is in this or that when it really is in our hands. But, like you said, the keys couldn’t be right in front of me….lol.
Great share,
Joe
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Thanks so much for visiting! And, commenting.
Even better that you liked the post, Joseph…
The old “time-slice” term again. Do you know I’ve been using term that since you brought that up in response to my multitasking post a while back?! 🙂
I just did my own personal experiment and it seems that I look fast first, miss the object, do another scan and then recognize the object. I need to practice going slow in the first place to avoid doing it more than once!
~Kesha
Kesha Brown recently posted..If You Love Me, You Would…
Yup, Kesha.
It’s that slice in time that saves our mind…
Thanks for visiting….
Roy
What a great explanation about brain, brain is really smarter that what we think. It is depend upon to us as an individual on how we develop or how e use it.
Danyelle Franciosa|Bifold Doors recently posted..Bifold Doors Brisbane
Thanks for the concept explanation, Danyelle.
Now, wait until you see today’s post… we really need to work at keeping our brain in shape!
Roy
I agree with you. Sometimes the problem is that we are too much in a hurry to get things done that we miss details in the end. The best is to take it slow.
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Thanks for the visit and the comment, Betsy!
The data says when we are looking for something in a stack, we need to slow down just a little. (Now, if that voice will play in my head when I need it…)
Roy
The one thing that I am always looking for is my cell phone. It seems like I have a mental block about where I put it. I look on my desk, night stand, kitchen table, pants pockets, purse, etc.
I sometimes have to make my husband ring my phone and then I find it in a place that I should have seen it…but didn’t.
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They sell devices that make it easier to find cell phones and keys. You click or whistle and it responds. Your method only works when the phone is charged 🙂
I just leave my cell phone and keys right on the corner of my kitchen counter, when I walk in the door. That way they are ready for this old codger to scoop them up on the way out…