An analysis of expertise-induced amnesia : semantic and episodic recall of chess moves across different skill levels and conditions : a Master's thesis submitted to Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Master of Science (Psychology) Degree
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2024
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Massey University
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Abstract
The chess domain was used to test the hypothesis for expertise-induced amnesia within a cognitive sport context, particularly examining the decrease in declaratively accessible episodic memories of chess moves as skill levels increase. While this hypothesis has been supported in a sensorimotor golf putting task (Beilock & Carr, 2001), it is untested in a cognitive chess task. Thirty adult participants were recruited online from chess clubs worldwide, classified into highly skilled (Elo rating over 1900) and competent (Elo rating under 1400) groups based on their skill level. Participants were then assigned to the rapid, random, or blitz condition. Rapid and random conditions varied by chess position configuration, while rapid and blitz conditions differed in time control. The random and blitz conditions also differed in both chess position configuration and time control. The study examined generic knowledge and episodic memories of online chess moves in competent and high skilled players across different conditions. Centipawn values of the best moves were calculated by Stockfish 14.1. De Groot’s four phases were used by scoring how many of the phases (0-4) participants recalled when describing the thought process involved in making their chess move. The primary finding indicated that expertise-induced amnesia occurs in the cognitive sport of chess, suggesting an association between skill acquisition and automaticity. These findings align with previous research by De Groot (1946/1978) and Chase and Simon (1973a), emphasizing the importance of fast processes in chess skill. Furthermore, future research directions, limitations, and practical implications are discussed.
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chess skill, expertise-induced amnesia, De Groot’s four phases, generic knowledge, episodic memories