Saul Sternberg

Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
Office: Room D19, Solomon Laboratories of Experimental Psychology,
3720 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6241
Brief Biography
Curriculum Vitae

About Seth Roberts (pdf file)

Seth & Saul (CBC TV Interview, 2006)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

General:
Human experimental and mathematical psychology.

Particular:
Visual encoding, attention, and retrieval;
Perception of time and temporal order;
Production of rhythmic patterns;
Control of movement sequences in speech production and typewriting;
Memory search;
Reaction time methods and models;
Decomposition of complex mental processes.

SAMPLE PUBLICATIONS AND MEETING PAPERS

Working Memory and Visual Processing :

Sternberg, S. (2016) In defence of high-speed memory scanning.
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 69, 2020-2075.
(One of the ten papers in the special issue "QJEP Classics Revisited".)
(pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1998) Inferring mental operations from reaction-time data: How we compare objects.
In D. Scarborough & S. Sternberg (Eds.), Invitation to Cognitive Science,
Volume 4: Methods, Models, and Conceptual Issues.
MIT Press. Pp. 365-454.
Contents
Full Text (pdf file)

Pantzer, T. & Sternberg, S. (1998) Effects of display size on mean RT:
Serial versus shared-capacity parallel operations.
Poster presented at the Psychonomic Society Meeting, Dallas, November.
Abstract

Sternberg, S., Knoll, R.L. & Turock, D.L. (1985) Direct access by spatial position in visual memory:
1. Synopsis of principal findings. AT&T Bell Laboratories Technical Memorandum. Abstract

Sternberg, S. & Knoll, R.L. (1985) Transformation of visual memory revealed by latency of rapid report.
AT&T Bell Laboratories Technical Memorandum.
Abstract

Sternberg, S (1975) Memory scanning: New findings and current controversies.
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 27,1-32.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. & Scarborough, D. L. (1971) Parallel testing of stimuli in visual search.
In A. Gydikov, V. Bakalska, et al. (Eds.) Visual Information Processing and Control of Motor Activity
(Proceedings of the International Symposium, July23rd-26th, 1969 of the
Institute of Physiology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences).
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1969) Memory-scanning: Mental processes revealed by reaction-time experiments.
American Scientist, 57, 421-457.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1969) Two invariances in retrieval of contextual information from memory.
Paper presented at EPA, April 1969.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1967) Two operations in character recognition:
Some evidence from reaction-time measurements.
Perception & Psychophysics, 2, 45-53.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1967) Retrieval of contextual information from memory. Psychonomic Science, 8, 55-56.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1966) High-speed scanning in human memory. Science, 153, 652-654.
Full Text (pdf file)

Motor Control:

Sternberg, S., Monsell, S, Knoll, R.L., & Wright, C.E. (1978) The latency and duration of rapid movement sequences:
Comparisons of speech and typing.
In G. E. Stelmach (Ed.) Information Processing in Motor Control and Learning. New York: Academic Press. Pp. 117-152.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S., Wright, C. E., Monsell, S, & Knoll, R.L. (1980) Motor programs in rapid speech: Additional evidence.
In R. A. Cole (Ed.) Perception and production of fluent speech. Erlbaum Associates. Pp. 507-534.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S., Knoll, R.L. Monsell, S. & Wright, C.E. (1988) Motor programs and hierarchical organization in the
control of rapid speech. Phonetica, 45, 175-197.
Abstract
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S., Knoll, R.L., & Turock, D.L. (1990) Hierarchical control in the execution of action sequences:
Tests of two invariance principles.
In M. Jeannerod (Ed.) Attention and Performance XIII. Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum, Pp. 3-55.
Abstract
Contents and Full Text (pdf file)

Time Perception and Production:

Sternberg, S., Knoll, R. L., & Mallows, C. L. (Draft, May 2024) Psychometric functions based on multiple responses.
Text (pdf file)
[Dedicated to the Memory of Colin L. Mallows]

Sternberg, S. & Pantzer, T. (1997) Timing of repeated movements: Test of a two-stage model.
Paper presented at the Psychonomic Society Meeting, Philadelphia, November.
Abstract

Sternberg, S. & Knoll, R. L. (1984) Perception, production, and imitation of time ratios by skilled musicians.
In J. Gibbon & L. G. Allan (Eds.) Timing and Time Perception. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 423, Pp. 429-441.
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S., Knoll, R.L. & Zukofsky, P. (1982) Timing by skilled musicians.
In D. Deutsch (Ed.) The psychology of music. New York: Academic Press. Pp. 181-239.
Contents and Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. & Knoll, R. L. (1973) The perception of temporal order: Fundamental issues and a general model.
[Dedicated to the Memory of Robert R. Bush]
In S. Kornblum (Ed.) Attention and performance IV. New York: Academic Press. Pp. 629-685.
Abstract
Contents and Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. & Knoll, R. L., & Gates, B. A. (1971) Prior entry reexamined: Effect of attentional bias on order perception.
Paper presented at the Psychonomic Society Meeting, Philadelphia, November.
Bell Labs Technical Memorandum MM71-1221-17.
Text (pdf file)

Structure of Mental and Neural Processes; Reaction-Time Methods:

Sternberg, S. (2023) Combining reaction-time distributions to conserve shape.
Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2018) Some constraints on reaction-time distributions for sequential processes
Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. & Backus, B. T. (2015) Sequential processes and the shapes of reaction-time distributions
Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2014) Reaction times and the ex-Gaussian distribution: When is it appropriate?
Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2013) The meaning of additive reaction-time effects: Some misconceptions.
Frontiers in Psychology, 4: 744. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00744
Text (pdf file)
Enlarged Figure (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2011) Modular processes in mind and brain. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 28, 156-208.
Table of Contents (pdf file)
Text (pdf file)
Table Giving Features of the Examples (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2004) Separate Modifiability and the Search for Processing Modules.
Chapter 6 in N. Kanwisher & J. Duncan (Eds.) Functional Neuroimaging of Visual Cognition (Attention & Performance XX)
Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2003) Process decomposition from double dissociation of subprocesses. Cortex, 39, 180-182.
(Contribution to Cortex Forum on Double Dissociation. See www.masson.it/cortex/39(1).htm)
(pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2001) Separate modifiability, mental modules, and the use of pure and composite measures to reveal them.
Acta Psychologica, 106, 147-246.
Full Article [pdf file; Initial pages (142-146) contain table of contents, lists of examples, tables, figures, equations.]
Abstract
Contents
List of Examples
Analysis of Examples
General Discussion
Primary References
Reviews

Sternberg, S. (1998) Discovering mental processing stages: The method of additive factors.
In D. Scarborough & S. Sternberg (Eds.), Invitation to Cognitive Science,
Volume 4: Methods, Models, and Conceptual Issues. MIT Press. Pp. 703-863.
Contents
Full Text (pdf file)

Roberts, S. & Sternberg, S. (1993) The meaning of additive reaction-time effects: Tests of three alternatives.
In D. E. Meyer & S. Kornblum (Eds.) Attention and Performance XIV: Synergies in Experimental Psychology,
Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Neuroscience. Cambridge, MA: M.I.T. Press. Pp. 611-653
Abstract
Full Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1984) Stage models of mental processing and the additive-factor method.
The behavioral and brain sciences, 7, 82-84.
Full Text (pdf file)

Max V. Mathews, David E. Meyer, & Saul Sternberg (1975) Exploring the speed of mental processes.
Bell Laboratories Record, 53, 148-156.
(10.5 MB pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1973) Evidence against self-terminating memory search from properties of RT distributions.
Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Psychonomic Society, St. Louis, November 1973.
Text (pdf file)
Enlarged Figures

Sternberg, S. (1969) The discovery of processing stages: Extensions of Donders' method.
In W. G. Koster (Ed.), Attention and performance II. Acta Psychologica, 30, 276-315.
Full Text (pdf file)
Update (2009) (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (1964) Estimating the distribution of additive reaction-time components.
Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Psychometric Society, October 1964.
Text (pdf file)

Models of Learning:

Sternberg, S. (1963) Stochastic learning theory.
In R. D. Luce, R. R. Bush & E. Galanter (Eds.),
Handbook of mathematical psychology, Vol. 2. New York: Wiley. Pp. 1-120.
Text (pdf file)

Models of Reaction Time:

Exploration and Analysis of Brain Measurements:

Farah, M., Sternberg, S., Nichols, T., . . . , & Ramey, C. (2021)
Randomized manipulation of early cognitive experience impacts adult brain structure. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 33, 1197-1209.
Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. (2021)
Sex differences in the effects on the brain of early cognitive stimulation. Cognitive Neuropsychology DOI: 10.1080/02643294.2021.2004108
Text (pdf file)

Cognitive Science:

Scarborough, D. & Sternberg, S. (Eds.) (1998)
Invitation to Cognitive Science, Volume 4: Methods, Models, and Conceptual Issues.
MIT Press. Pp. 1-xiv, 1-950.
Description and Table of Contents

Fraud in Science:

Roberts, S. & Sternberg, S. (2003) Do nutritional supplements improve cognitive function in the elderly?
(Letter to the editor of Nutrition, with response from R. K. Chandra)
Text (pdf file)

Sternberg, S. & Roberts, S. (2006) Nutritional supplements and infection in the elderly: Why do the findings conflict?
Nutrition Journal, 5:30. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-5-30.
Text (pdf file)

TEACHING

Courses and Seminars

Four most recent:

Psychology 399: Independent Research on The Role of Acoustic Feedback in Piano Playing
[a research course for undergraduates].
Description (pdf file)

Psychology 600-302: Proseminar on Human Information Processing
[a seminar for graduate students]
Description

Psychology 357: Experiments in Cognitive Science: Human Information Processing
[a laboratory course for undergraduates].
Description
Link to Class Web-page (and Syllabus)

Psychology 751-302: Topics in the Psychology of Human Attention
[a seminar for graduate students].
Description
Syllabus (pdf file; Acrobat Reader needed)

Other

RT Experimentation (A manual for students)
pdf file (Acrobat Reader needed)

Some Pretty RT Data (To accompany the above manual)
pdf file
More Pretty RT Data
Figure and Caption

MP3 File of Minnesota Public Radio Interview (25 min, 14 MB)
mp3 file

Ftap: A flexible tool for running experiments on music performance and timing, using MIDI and Linux

SPECIAL PLOTS AND TABLES

Paper-and-Pencil "Memory Search" Experiment
plot (pdf file)
Procedure

Multiplicative Time Distortion
Plots (pdf file)

Means and Variances of Self-Terminating Search:
Effects of Mixing Search Rates Over Trials.
plots (pdf file)

Bricolo et al. (2002): Inferred Search Time Variances.
plots (pdf file)

Variability versus Effect Size in Reaction-Time Experiments.
table (pdf file)

Contribution to Attention and Performance XX (Functional Neuroimaging of Visual Cognition)
Separate Modifiability and the Search for Processing Modules: Text (pdf file)
Figure 1 (TMS example) (pdf file)
Figure 2 (fMRI example) (pdf file)

Reaction-time data relevant to fMRI example (pdf file)
Main Effects in fMRI example (pdf file)