Available online
Description
This programme demonstrates the use of a minicomputer in two different psychology laboratories.
This programme demonstrates the use of a minicomputer in two different psychology laboratories.
| Module code and title: | TM221, The digital computer |
|---|---|
| Item code: | TM221; 08 |
| First transmission date: | 26-07-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:34 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Ted Smith |
| Contributors: | Peter Evans; Roger Loxton; Andrew Ridgers |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Computer controlled experiments; Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford; Model; NOVA computer system; Rat experiment; Skinner box; Stimulus machine; Tape puncher; Teletypewriter |
| Footage description: | Roger Loxton introduces the programme from a laboratory in the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. Andrew Ridgers of the Department explains why psychologists use rats in laboratory experiments concerned with the investigation of learning processes. Film of an experiment whereby rats negotiate a maze, with Ridgers explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the experiment. Ridgers describes the qualities of the laboratory's Skinner box and uses a diagram to explain how it works. He then demonstrates its use and indicates the kind of repetitive experiments for which it is useful. He also explains its limitations. Ridgers introduces an electronic device capable of providing a rudimentary form of automatic control over these experiments. He explains the difficulty of programming this device and why a minicomputer came to be used instead. Film of Loxton with the laboratory's PDP-8/S minicomputer. He gives a brief description of the components of the computer system, comprising Skinner boxes, interfaces, minicomputer and teletypewriter. He then uses a diagram to illustrate the computer's control over the experimental procedure to which the rat is subjected. Loxton explains how the state diagram is converted to numerical form suitable for handling by teletype and paper tape peripherals. He then feeds paper- tape input to the computer and the experiment is seen to take place in a Skinner box containing a rat. Loxton describes how the computer can control a number of experiments simultaneously, as well as reviewing and modifying the complete experimental system. To explain how the computer is organised internally to do this he uses a model which is divided into foreground and background. He shows how the interpreter shares computer time with the four background operations of compiler, background queue, kill programs and conversation mode. Shots of the gymnasium of 'Brentwood School for Educationally Subnormal Children' in Cheshire. In voice over Loxton explains the scope of the school and the nature of the computer controlled experiments being carried out into the learning processes of the children. Peter Evans, a research worker from the University of Manchester, explains in more detail the object of the research. He demonstrates the operation of a stimulus machine. Evans then conducts an experiment with a child, who has to respond to the stimulus machine. Afterwards, he explains how the computer can help in collating and analysing the results. Loxton describes the hardware components of the NOVA computer system in use at the school. The operation of the machine's high speed paper tape reader. Loxton operates a paper tape puncher and explains its advantages. He also demonstrates the way in which the experiment can be modified by means of input from the teletypewriter. Briefly he describes the storage capacity of the system. He concludes by enumerating the roles of the minicomputer used in this case study, and gives the advantages of using such a system in these experiments. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71723 |
| Production number: | 00525_5168 |
| Videofinder number: | 1466 |
| Available to public: | no |
