The effects of optimization on cognitive skill acquisition from intelligent decision aids.

摘要

Scope and method of study. This study examined how cognitive skills could be acquired through the use of intelligent decision aids (IDA). Guided by Anderson's 1993 Adaptive Character of Thought-Rational (ACTR) theory, IDAs were designed to provide subjects with differing sets of prompts thought to effectively increase learning. Subjects were faced with the task of assessing the adequacy of internal controls in a payroll environment. Prompts provided to subjects in a laboratory experiment included explanations of the level and characteristics of individual internal controls, questions asking subjects to consider similarities among internal controls, and instructions to change a given control and consider the effect of that change on overall control adequacy. Pretest and posttest measures were taken of the 155 subject who completed the experiment, these measures served as the basis for analysis.;Findings and conclusions. Initial analysis showed a failure of these prompts to illicit theorized outcomes. However, post hoc analysis of subjects who demonstrated an intention to learn yielded findings that provide support for inclusion of some of these prompts in IDA development. While the prompts that asked subjects to consider similarities were not effective, both explanations and instructions to consider the effects of changes were shown to be successful in aiding subjects make improved decisions about the adequacy of internal controls.