Part 1 consists of three tasks: A, B, and C. You will complete five rounds of each task. First you will complete five rounds of Task A, then five rounds of Task B, then five rounds of Task C. Every round is independent, but the task will be the same in each of the five rounds.
Tasks A, B, and C are alike; each involve making multiple decisions, and the types of decisions you need to make are similar. The difference between the tasks is how many decisions you have to make per round:
Since you will complete five rounds per task, in total you will make {{ total_decisions_a }} decisions for Task A, {{ total_decisions_b }} decisions for Task B, and {{ total_decisions_c }} decisions for Task C.
To make your decisions in Part 1 tasks, you will use a 4x4 grid of squares. At the start of each new round, the computer will create a new grid by randomly selecting a point value for each square. Each square on the grid corresponds to one value from the set of possible values, which range from 0 to 100 points. Each value from 0 to 100 points is equally likely to be chosen by the computer, and the values of the squares are independent of each other. These point values will stay fixed for the entire round. Below you can see what this looks like.
| {{ player.value_0 }} | {{ player.value_1 }} | {{ player.value_2 }} | {{ player.value_3 }} |
| {{ player.value_4 }} | {{ player.value_5 }} | {{ player.value_6 }} | {{ player.value_7 }} |
| {{ player.value_8 }} | {{ player.value_9 }} | {{ player.value_10 }} | {{ player.value_11 }} |
| {{ player.value_12 }} | {{ player.value_13 }} | {{ player.value_14 }} | {{ player.value_15 }} |
On your first decision turn of each round, the computer will only display the point value of one square (the top left square). Below you can see what this looks like. To learn the point value of any other square, you must click on it (choose its point value for one of your decision turns). Once a (previously blank) square has been chosen at least once, its point value will be displayed on the square for the rest of the round. This means that what you learn in an earlier decision turn can be useful to you in later decision turns within the same round. In contrast, what you learn in a given round will not be useful to you in future rounds, because the computer randomly generates a new grid at the start of each round.
| {{ player.value_0 }} | |||
Every time you click on a square (choose a point value), you use one decision turn. Once you click on any square, the point value of that square will be added to your payoff for that round. You will not be able to go back and change your decision once you have clicked on a square. The round ends once you have completed all of your decision turns. For example, Task B has {{ total_decisions_b }} decision turns. This means completing a round of Task B consists of making {{ total_decisions_b }} choices (clicking {{ total_decisions_b }} squares) from the grid, and the payoff for a round of Task B is the sum of {{ total_decisions_b }} point values, one from each decision turn. You are allowed to choose any square on the grid each decision turn, and you can click on the same square more than once. The only condition is that you can only choose one square per decision turn.
If you click on a square whose point value is displayed on the square, you will use one decision turn and that certain point value will be added to your payoff for that round.
If you click on a square whose point value is hidden, you will use one decision turn, you will learn that square's point value, and that value will be added to your payoff for that round.
This is the method that is used to determine how much you earn in Part 1.
At the end of the experiment, the computer will randomly choose three rounds from the 15 rounds of Part 1, one from each task, to count for payment. To do that, the computer draws three numbers: (1) a number between 1 and 5, (2) a number between 6 and 10, and (3) a number between 11 and 15. So the selected rounds only depends on chance: all rounds have the same probability of being chosen. Because only three rounds (out of the 15 total) are randomly selected and paid out, there is no feedback after each round about the result (which round has been selected by the computer and the earnings in that round).
At the end of the experiment, the three selected rounds and your payoffs in those rounds will be shown on the screen. Those points will be exchanged to money and added together to determine your total earnings in money from Part 1 of the experiment. 100 points are worth 1 dollar.
You can now practice three rounds, one of each task. First you will complete one practice round of Task A, then one practice round of Task B, then one practice round of Task C. Recall that the number of decision turns in each task is as follows:
When you click the button to begin the Task A practice round, you will see the 4x4 grid of squares generated by the computer for that round. The number of decision turns you have remaining will appear above the grid. To choose a square/use a decision turn, use your mouse to move the cursor on the screen inside the square of your choice. When you know which decision you would like to make, click on the left button on your mouse to select your choice. (If you are using a mobile device, simply touch a square to select your choice). If there are more decision rounds remaining, you will then be automatically transferred to the next decision round. If there are no more decision rounds remaining, the practice round for Task A will end. Then a button will appear to begin the practice round for Task B. The practice round for Task C will follow.
Remember that the computer draws a new 4x4 grid of squares for each round. These are practice rounds, so take your time. The decisions you make will not be recorded or eligible for payment.
When you are ready, click the button to begin the Task A practice round.