http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/ Mon, 07 May 2012 21:35:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15717 The Vlad Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:54:05 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15717 OK, I see what you're saying. In practice, though, sample sizes in cognitive psychology experiments tend to be pretty modest ( OK, I see what you’re saying. In practice, though, sample sizes in cognitive psychology experiments tend to be pretty modest (

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15715 Michael Nielsen Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:48:39 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15715 Vlad: not with randomized selection of the two groups from the same population. That's standard with these types of experiments, to combat exactly the effects you describe. Outliers might be a problem; I'd want to ask an experimental psychologist how those should be dealt with. With a large enough sample, I doubt it would matter, anyway. Vlad: not with randomized selection of the two groups from the same population. That’s standard with these types of experiments, to combat exactly the effects you describe. Outliers might be a problem; I’d want to ask an experimental psychologist how those should be dealt with. With a large enough sample, I doubt it would matter, anyway.

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15714 The Vlad Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:44:59 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15714 Yes, but you would need to establish, before the experiment, that both groups have equal IQ. Yes, but you would need to establish, before the experiment, that both groups have equal IQ.

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15711 Michael Nielsen Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:56:30 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15711 Vlad - That's the reason to have a control. Vlad – That’s the reason to have a control.

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15710 The Vlad Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:29:10 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15710 Mike, if you don't know the base IQ scores of the control and web-access groups, you cannot meaningfully interpret any differences between the groups' post-experiment IQ scores, right? Is the putative difference due to one group being inherently smarter or due to your experimental manipulation? Mike, if you don’t know the base IQ scores of the control and web-access groups, you cannot meaningfully interpret any differences between the groups’ post-experiment IQ scores, right? Is the putative difference due to one group being inherently smarter or due to your experimental manipulation?

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15604 Michael Nielsen Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:22:45 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15604 Migeru, while that would certainly be valuable, albeit far harder, the base study I describe would still be very interesting. You might get, e.g., a larger effect with University undergrads than with people in their 60s; either result would be fascinating. Migeru, while that would certainly be valuable, albeit far harder, the base study I describe would still be very interesting. You might get, e.g., a larger effect with University undergrads than with people in their 60s; either result would be fascinating.

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15603 Migeru Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:07:30 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15603 What makes this experiment not simple at all is to make sure, when selecting the test population and the control group, that all socioeconomic variables that correlate with internet use/lack thereof, and with IQ, are controlled for. What makes this experiment not simple at all is to make sure, when selecting the test population and the control group, that all socioeconomic variables that correlate with internet use/lack thereof, and with IQ, are controlled for.

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15601 Michael Nielsen Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:18:38 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15601 Shirley - Yes, the results would definitely be open to many different interpretations. Still, I think it'd be fun to just try it and see! It's an instance where pretty much any outcome would be interesting. Shirley – Yes, the results would definitely be open to many different interpretations. Still, I think it’d be fun to just try it and see! It’s an instance where pretty much any outcome would be interesting.

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15600 Michael Nielsen Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:16:43 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15600 Danielle - Good point. About 20 (!) years ago I saw a test that had unbounded time, so they definitely exist, but I don't know how common they are. Danielle – Good point. About 20 (!) years ago I saw a test that had unbounded time, so they definitely exist, but I don’t know how common they are.

]]> http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/a-simple-psychology-experiment-what-effect-does-the-web-and-google-have-on-iq/comment-page-1/#comment-15591 Danielle Fong Sun, 09 Nov 2008 09:45:21 +0000 http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=491#comment-15591 I should note that, on most traditional IQ tests, the speed that one answers is a primary contributing factor to the score. I think this is an absurd thing, anyway, but one would probably have to design new tests. I should note that, on most traditional IQ tests, the speed that one answers is a primary contributing factor to the score. I think this is an absurd thing, anyway, but one would probably have to design new tests.

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