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Experimental and Theoretical Psychology
Home Page > Research > DFG Project DYNAMIS > DYNAMIS Software (english)
DYNAMIS Software (english)
Comment from the year 2012: The DYNAMIS software (described below) is outdated. But don't worry! We have successors for that instrument that are much better.
First, there are our new paradigms, called MicroDYN and MicroFIN. The "Micro" stands for the idea of using minimal complex systems for psychometric reasons. The "DYN" stands for DYNAMIS, i.e. linear structural equation approch, whereas "FIN" stands for finite state approach. You can find more info about this here (the PDFs can be downloaded for free from Joachim Funkes publication list):- Funke, J. (2010). Complex problem solving: A case for complex cognition? Cognitive Processing, 11, 133-142.
- Greiff, S., Wüstenberg, S. & Funke, J. (2012). Dynamic Problem Solving: A new measurement perspective. Applied Psychological Measurement, 36(3), 189-213.
- Wüstenberg, S., Greiff, S. & Funke, J. (2012). Complex problem solving: More than reasoning? Intelligence, 40, 1-14.
DYNAMIS-Software (Excerpt from the README-File of the old DOS-version)
DYNAMIS is a general-purpose PC-software which allows to construct arbitrary dynamic systems. These systems follow the principles of linear structural equation systems. Task of the subjects is normally two-folded: first, to identify the hidden structure which does exist between exogenous and endogenous variables; second, to control the dynamic system with respect to some goal values.The logic behind the construction of such systems is described in the following papers:
Funke, J. (1992). Dealing with dynamic systems: Research strategy, diagnostic approach and experimental results. German Journal of Psychology, 16, 24-43.
Funke, J. (1993). Microworlds based on linear equation systems: A new approach to complex problem solving and experimental results. In G. Strube & K.-F. Wender (Eds.), The cognitive psychology of knowledge (pp. 313-330). Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers.
Funke, J. (1995). Experimental research on complex problem solving. In P.A. Frensch & J. Funke (Eds.), Complex problem solving: The European Perspective (pp. 243-268). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
The simulation program DYNAMIS exists on a fileserver together with a lot of parameter files (compressed into a ZIP-File [240 KB] for PC's). With these parameter files, different dynamic systems can be created which all follow the same structure imposed by DYNAMIS.
If you click 
here,
the FTP-Server will be activated and the ZIP-File will be downloaded to
your disk.
How parameter files are constructed can be found in the following report which contains also most of the parameter files:
This report is partly published on this WWW-server (click here).
Please note that program and especially the source code is free for use
only for scientific purposes. If you got the source code from us
please do not distribute it further without asking us. If you want to use DYNAMIS for commercial applications please send a letter
or email to Dr. Joachim Funke to set up the appropriate conditions of use.
You start the program by simply typing 'DYNAMIS'. Then you have to input the name of the parameter file.
Changes on parameter files as well as the construction of new ones are easily
done by means of the program DYNCONST (Thanks to "Jean-Paul
Reeff"!). Using DYNCONST allows you to easily change all parameters in
a simple way. Note: if you construct a parameter file by your own (i.e.,
using a normal text editor) you must give the extension '.PRM' to that file.
You are encouraged to report results of your DYNAMIS experiences, positive
as well as negative ones. Also, I am very interested to hear about publications
involving DYNAMIS software.
General Background
The background for the construction of linear structural equation systems, the logic of research behind these systems, and the results of experimental work is described in more detail in the following text:
Overview over existing parameter files
- ECOSYSTEM [OEKOxy.PRM].
- Experiment from Funke (1985, Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 193, 443-465; cf. Fritz & Funke, 1988, Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 196, 171-187); the parameters x and y in the parameter file represent x = degree of autoregressive processes (1 or 2), y = degree of connectivity (1=small, 2=medium, 3=large).
- AQUARIUM [AQUA.PRM].
- Unpublished experiment from Funke (1985); comparison of numerical
and grafical presentation of the same system.
- LUNAR LANDING [MOND.PRM].
- Parameters follow the system from Funke (1981, Trierer Psychol. Bericht,
8, Heft 9).
- HAMURABI [HAMURABI.PRM].
- Parameters follow the system from Gediga, Schöttke & Tücke
(1983, Bericht aus dem Psychol. Institut der Univ. Osnabrück).
- TRANSPORTATION-SYSTEM [TRANSPRT.PRM].
- Parameters follow the system from Broadbent (1977, Quarterly Journal
of Experimental Psychology, 29, 181-201).
- PETER-PRINZIP [PETER.PRM].
- Illustration of the Peter-Prinzicle (parameter settings according
to Klaus Opwis, 1985, Diss. Freiburg); recommended: hire only people without
qualification!
- SUPPRESSOR [S1.PRM].
- System with suppressor variables from Funke (1986, unpublished): only
3 variables, but enormous difficulty in identification task. Try to manipulate
with 'Werbung' the 'Umsatz' variable (bring it to 300 - and keep it there!)
...
- SUGAR FACTORY [ZUCKER.PRM].
- Simulation of the system from Berry & Broadbent (1987, Psychological
Research, 49, 7-15). On "Friendliness" you should use only integers
(range 1-12)!
- SINUS-System [SINUS.PRM].
- Simluation of a strange planet whose structure has to be identified
(see Funke & Müller, Sprache & Kognition, 7, 1988, 176-186).
- WASTE OIL-System [ALTOEL.PRM].
- Simulation on the recycling of spoiled oil (see Fahnenbruck, Funke & Rasche, 1988, Bonner Berichte, Band 14, Heft 2).
Recent Publications involving DYNAMIS
From the Bayreuth team DYNAMIS-versions called LINAS, LINAS-! and LINAS-2 have been developed and used in research:
Putz-Osterloh, W. (1993). Strategies for knowledge acquisition and transfer of knowledge in dynamic tasks. In G. Strube & K.-F. Wender (Eds.), The cognitive psychology of knowledge (pp. 331-350). Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers.
Another DYNAMIS-system called BIOLOGY LAB can be found in:
Vollmeyer, R., & Rheinberg, F. (1998). Motivationale Einflüsse auf Erwerb und Anwendung von Wissen in einem computersimulierten System. Zeitschrift für Pädagogische Psychologie, 12, 11-23.
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Last modified on 13.09.2012 by JF. |