大腦處理資訊能力之定量測量-線上拼圖遊戲的應用

Abstract

大腦是一個複雜、精密和動態的神經網絡，能夠有效率的處理大量的訊息。訊息處理的流程與拼圖的過程相似，都是將帶有訊息的碎片排列、組合。因此，我們提出一個新穎的測量方法以研究大腦如何處理訊息，藉由拼圖線上遊戲和統計分析方法探討人類處理顏色和圖像訊息的能力。 從國小到研究所，合計有1483位學生參與本實驗，年齡介於7歲到30歲之間。實驗結果發現完成拼圖的時間（T）與拼圖分割的塊數（N）成正冪次方關係，即T ~ N λ，拼圖過程中嘗試的次數也與塊數成正冪次方關係，C ~ N λ’，其中λ和 介於1.1到2之間，數值大小與圖像處理能力相關。研究發現學童處理圖像資訊的能力隨著年紀增加而下降，而且女學童處理大量訊息的能力明顯優於男學童。經由歷程分析得以觀察複雜圖像訊息的處理順序。 透過本研究方法，人類大腦的運作機制、顏色與圖像訊息處理流程得以測量，未來也能應用在兒童認知發展與老年人智能退化等相關議題研究。

Cognition is a complex process, which involves memories, information processing, and knowledge acquiring and retrieving. A cognitive process is similar to solving a puzzle by correctly combining all pieces of information. We report an original method to study quantitatively the cognitive process of the human brain using a push-fit puzzle. A statistical model has been constructed to analyze the ability in processing large amount of information about the recognition of color and shape, as well as the response time to change from one state to another in solving puzzle. There are 1483 students of age between 7 and 30 participated in this experiment. Our results reveal a power-law relation between average time (T) and number of pieces (N), as well as that between average number of attempted trails (C) and N. In other words, we have relations T ~ N λ and C ~ N λ’, where λ and λ’ are in the range from 1.1 to 2, indicating the brain’s power in processing information. A linear decline in the perception of color and pattern with age has been found. The response time to change from one configuration state to another is found to be inversely proportional to age square. Our results also show that female students tend to handle large amount of information more efficiently than male students. A prevailing path to reach the desired state in solving puzzles has also been observed. Due to the sensitivity of our method, such experiments could be useful in studying the age-related development or degeneration of the human brain in the recognition of color and graphical pattern.