The Change in Technology in Psychology Dean Davidson School of Psychology University of New England.

The Change in Technology in Psychology

Dean Davidson

School of PsychologyUniversity of New England

Types of Experiments

• Perception

• Physiological

• Brain function (Cognition)

• Behaviour

Perception

• StroopBLUE

• Muller Lyer

Physiological Experiments

Signal Amplifier

Processor Recorder

Physiological Experiments

KymographEarly (1900s) mechanical recording equipment

Physiological Experiments

GSR AmplifierValve based, 1950s

Physiological Experiments

Grass Recorder

Transistor based 1970s

Combined amplifier, processor and Recorder

in the one unit

Physiological Experiments

Biopac

Transistor & IC based 1990s

Amplifiers feeding into an ADC and processor. Outputted as data files to a PC for processing and display

Physiological Experiments“Stress-O-Meter”

Silicon Chip 1998 - IC based

“Dumb” hardware given intelligence by a program running on a PC. Analysis and results display

using Excel or SPSS

Rat Experiments

Control Panel (1960s)

Transistors and logic blocks

Rat Experiments

Control Panel (1970s)

Transistors and ICs

Rat Experiments

Serial Interface (1980s) Provides computer control of experiment.

Serial interface was used as it provided signals both to and from the computer.

The computer was either a PDP 11 or PC

Rat Experiments

Activity box (current).

Signals are sent to and from the box using a digital I/O card, available in kit form

Rat Experiments

“Sniffy the Rat” Computer simulation used to model rat behaviour.

Hardware to Software

Jpeg images are now displayed on computer screen and reaction times are measured directly from a press

of a key on the computer keyboard, or via a push button box and interface to the PC parallel port

CardmasterUsed for displaying images for a short amount of time

Hardware to Software

Now all timing is done by computer programs

Chronoscope -Displayed reaction times

Timer -Turned apparatus on/off for a specified time

Hardware to Software

Now a sequence of images, rotated by 1 degree or so. These are sequentially displayed on the computer

screen

Spinning Disks

Hardware to Software

Now done using CRT displays. Limitation is screen refresh rate. 10mS is the minimum

Tachistoscope Displayed images for very small amounts of time

Hardware to Software

Now easily done on the PC

Muller-Lyer Apparatus

Wooden frame with pulleys and cords. The illusion is presented on white cards

Hardware to Software

Now, using a sound card on a PC, not only can the reaction time be measured, but also the subjects

response can be recorded

Voice Operated RelayUsed to measure reaction times by the subject speaking

1930

6SN7 Valve

1 Logic Circuit (with external discrete components)

80mm

10 μS

1940

6J6 Valve

1 Logic Circuit (with external discrete components)

50mm

1 μS

1950

Transistor Logic Card

2 Logic Circuits 150mm

10 μS

1960

Potted Transistor Logic

2 Logic Circuits 50mm

1 μS

1970

7400 Integrated Circuit

4 Logic Circuits 20mm

100 nS

1980

Zilog Z80 Microcomputer Chip

100,000 Logic Circuits 50mm

250 nS

1990

Intel 386DX Microcomputer Chip

1,000,000 Logic Circuits

30mm

20 nS

Stress O MeterPrinter Data Port

8 bit Digital to Analog Convertor (DAC)

10 mS Time Constant

GSR electrodes

Difference Amplifier

10 mS Time Constant

Games Port

8 bit Analog to Digital Convertor

5 Volts

100K

5 Volts

Charge Resistor

Voice Operated Relay

Staffing 1990• Professional Officer -Technical coordination,

PDP11 operations• Technical Officer - Animal house,

Audio Visual, Presentation Graphics

• Technical Officer - Electronics and Computing

• Technical Officer - Electronics and Mechanical

Staffing present• CSO -Technical coordination,

Computer programming, Computer Support

• Senior TO -Audio Visual, Presentation Graphics Computer Support

• Technical Officer - Computer Support (Part time)

How do we survive?

• We outsource some of our Computer support and any electronic/mechanical construction.

• No electronic design has been needed in the last four years. We either buy ready made products or build up interfaces from kits.

• All of us are capable of carrying out trivial tasks such as soldering, cable manufacture, etc.

Future Trends

• Behavioural Genetics

• Brain function mapping

• Web based programs

Ongoing Technical Support in Psychology

• Large Animal Houses will always need technicians/lab assistants.

• Experiment generator programs can’t do everything.

• And of course, there remains the need for someone to arrange outsourcing both for new projects and breakdowns, or even changing the laser printer toner cartridge.

Future Trends

• Less requirement for “manual” trades.

• Greater need for computer training

• Greater need for understanding the discipline

• Greater need for interpersonal and team skills

• More interesting and varied work