Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cognitive learning theory'
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Jankowska, Gierus Bogumila. "Learning with visual representations through cognitive load theory." Thesis, McGill University, 2011. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=104827.
Full textCette étude a examiné deux stratégies différentes d'apprendre à l'aide des diagrammes: le dessin de diagrammes tout en apprenant ou en apprenant sur la base des diagrammes préconstruits. Cent quatre-vingt-seize étudiants de lycée ont été aléatoirement placés dans une condition où soit ils dessinaient tout en se renseignant sur la façon dont les avions volent ou étudiaient à partir des diagrammes préconstruits. Avant l'étude, les stratégies de connaissance et d'élaboration des étudiants ont été vérifiées. Pendant l'étude sous l'une ou l'autre des conditions, les étudiants signalaient leur effort mental. Suite à cela, l'étude des étudiants est examinée sur une tâche semblable et une tâche de transfert. Cadre théorique de Cook (2006), qui combine la théorie de la connaissance antérieure et de charge cognitive sur les représentations visuelles dans l'éducation de la science, ont été employés pour analyser les résultats. Les résultats ont prouvé que l'effort mental des étudiants a augmenté sensiblement sous condition de dessin, pourtant les résultats sur le post-test étaient mitigés. En règle générale, les étudiants ont fait plus ou moins mauvais sur les mesures de post-test quand ils ont appris en traçant des diagrammes au contraire de l'utilisation des diagrammes préconstruits pour apprendre. Cependant, les étudiants ayant une faible connaissance de base ont mieux exécuté le post-test en traçant leurs propres diagrammes. Les stratégies d'élaborations n'ont pas exercé d' effet sur l'accomplissement ou l'effort mental des étudiants pour chacune des conditions.
Tsividis, Pedro A. "Theory-based learning in humans and machines." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/121813.
Full textCataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 123-130).
Humans are remarkable in their ability to rapidly learn complex tasks from little experience. Recent successes in Al have produced algorithms that can perform complex tasks well in environments whose simple dynamics are known in advance, as well as models that can learn to perform expertly in unknown environments after a great amount of experience. Despite this, no current AI models are able to learn sufficiently rich and general representations so as to support rapid, human-level learning on new, complex, tasks. This thesis examines some of the epistemic practices, representations, and algorithms that we believe underlie humans' ability to quickly learn about their world and to deploy that understanding to achieve their aims. In particular, the thesis examines humans' ability to effectively query their environment for information that helps distinguish between competing hypotheses (Chapter 2); children's ability to use higher-level amodal features of data to match causes and effects (Chapter 3); and adult human rapid-learning abilities in artificial video-game environments (Chapter 4). The thesis culminates by presenting and testing a model, inspired by human inductive biases and epistemic practices, that learns to perform complex video-game tasks at human levels with human-level amounts of experience (Chapter 5). The model is an instantiation of a more general approach, Theory-Based Reinforcement Learning, which we believe can underlie the development of human-level agents that may eventually learn and act adaptively in the real world.
by Pedro A. Tsividis.
Ph. D.
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Brazas, Michael L. "Cognitive load theory and programmed instruction." [Tampa, Fla.] : University of South Florida, 2005. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/SFE0001011.
Full textRitter, Samuel. "Meta-reinforcement Learning with Episodic Recall| An Integrative Theory of Reward-Driven Learning." Thesis, Princeton University, 2019. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=13420812.
Full textResearch on reward-driven learning has produced and substantiated theories of model-free and model-based reinforcement learning (RL), which respectively explain how humans and animals learn reflexive habits and build prospective plans. A highly developed line of work has unearthed the role of striatal dopamine in model-free learning, while the prefrontal cortex (PFC) appears to critically subserve model-based learning. The recent theory of meta-reinforcement learning (meta-RL) explained a wide array of findings by positing that the model-free dopaminergic reward prediction error trains the recurrent prefrontal network to execute arbitrary RL algorithms—including model-based RL—in its activations.
In parallel, a nascent understanding of a third reinforcement learning system is emerging: a non-parametric system that stores memory traces of individual experiences rather than aggregate statistics. Research on such episodic learning has revealed its unmistakeable traces in human behavior, developed theory to articulate algorithms underlying that behavior, and pursued the contention that the hippocampus is centrally involved. These developments lead to a set of open questions about (1) how the neural mechanisms of episodic learning relate to those underlying incremental model-free and model-based learning and (2) how the brain arbitrates among the contributions of this abundance of valuation strategies.
This thesis extends meta-RL to provide an account for episodic learning, incremental learning, and the coordination between them. In this theory of episodic meta-RL (EMRL), episodic memory reinstates activations in the prefrontal network based on contextual similarity, after passing them through a learned gating mechanism (Chapters 1 and 2). In simulation, EMRL can solve episodic contextual water maze navigation problems and episodic contextual bandit problems, including those with Omniglot class contexts and others with compositional structure (Chapter 3). Further, EMRL reproduces episodic model-based RL and its coordination with incremental model-based RL on the episodic two-step task (Vikbladh et al., 2017; Chapter 4). Chapter 5 discusses more biologically detailed extensions to EMRL, and Chapter 6 analyzes EMRL with respect to a set of recent empirical findings. Chapter 7 discusses EMRL in the context of various topics in neuroscience.
Burkes, Kate M. Erland Allen Jeff M. "Applying cognitive load theory to the design of online learning." [Denton, Tex.] : University of North Texas, 2007. http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-3698.
Full textBurkes, Kate M. Erland. "Applying Cognitive Load Theory to the Design of Online Learning." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2007. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3698/.
Full textBouvrie, Jacob V. "Hierarchical learning : theory with applications in speech and vision." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/54227.
Full textThis electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-132).
Over the past two decades several hierarchical learning models have been developed and applied to a diverse range of practical tasks with much success. Little is known, however, as to why such models work as well as they do. Indeed, most are difficult to analyze, and cannot be easily characterized using the established tools from statistical learning theory. In this thesis, we study hierarchical learning architectures from two complementary perspectives: one theoretical and the other empirical. The theoretical component of the thesis centers on a mathematical framework describing a general family of hierarchical learning architectures. The primary object of interest is a recursively defined feature map, and its associated kernel. The class of models we consider exploit the fact that data in a wide variety of problems satisfy a decomposability property. Paralleling the primate visual cortex, hierarchies are assembled from alternating filtering and pooling stages that build progressively invariant representations which are simultaneously selective for increasingly complex stimuli. A goal of central importance in the study of hierarchical architectures and the cortex alike, is that of understanding quantitatively the tradeoff between invariance and selectivity, and how invariance and selectivity contribute towards providing an improved representation useful for learning from data. A reasonable expectation is that an unsupervised hierarchical representation will positively impact the sample complexity of a corresponding supervised learning task.
(cont.) We therefore analyze invariance and discrimination properties that emerge in particular instances of layered models described within our framework. A group-theoretic analysis leads to a concise set of conditions which must be met to establish invariance, as well as a constructive prescription for meeting those conditions. An information-theoretic analysis is then undertaken and seen as a means by which to characterize a model's discrimination properties. The empirical component of the thesis experimentally evaluates key assumptions built into the mathematical framework. In the case of images, we present simulations which support the hypothesis that layered architectures can reduce the sample complexity of a non-trivial learning problem. In the domain of speech, we describe a 3 localized analysis technique that leads to a noise-robust representation. The resulting biologically-motivated features are found to outperform traditional methods on a standard phonetic classification task in both clean and noisy conditions.
by Jacob V. Bouvrie.
Ph.D.
Riem, R. G. A. "Children learning to count : A social psychological reappraisal of cognitive theory." Thesis, University of Kent, 1985. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.371143.
Full textShon, Aaron P. "Bayesian cognitive models for imitation /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7013.
Full textTobias, Cindel K. "Complex instruction giving students the education they deserve /." Online pdf file accessible through the World Wide Web, 2010. http://archives.evergreen.edu/masterstheses/Accession89-10MIT/Tobias_CKMiT2010.pdf.
Full textDaCosta, Boaventura. "THE EFFECT OF COGNITIVE AGING ON MULTIMEDIA LEARNING." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2008. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3650.
Full textPh.D.
Department of Educational Research, Technology and Leadership
Education
Education PhD
Fung, Sham. "Stochastic Game Theory Applications for Power Management in Cognitive Networks." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1398286269.
Full textHu, Fang-Tzu. "Getting the point: tracing worked examples enhances learning." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/12478.
Full textRakhlin, Alexander. "Applications of empirical processes in learning theory : algorithmic stability and generalization bounds." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34564.
Full textIncludes bibliographical references (p. 141-148).
This thesis studies two key properties of learning algorithms: their generalization ability and their stability with respect to perturbations. To analyze these properties, we focus on concentration inequalities and tools from empirical process theory. We obtain theoretical results and demonstrate their applications to machine learning. First, we show how various notions of stability upper- and lower-bound the bias and variance of several estimators of the expected performance for general learning algorithms. A weak stability condition is shown to be equivalent to consistency of empirical risk minimization. The second part of the thesis derives tight performance guarantees for greedy error minimization methods - a family of computationally tractable algorithms. In particular, we derive risk bounds for a greedy mixture density estimation procedure. We prove that, unlike what is suggested in the literature, the number of terms in the mixture is not a bias-variance trade-off for the performance. The third part of this thesis provides a solution to an open problem regarding the stability of Empirical Risk Minimization (ERM). This algorithm is of central importance in Learning Theory.
(cont.) By studying the suprema of the empirical process, we prove that ERM over Donsker classes of functions is stable in the L1 norm. Hence, as the number of samples grows, it becomes less and less likely that a perturbation of o(v/n) samples will result in a very different empirical minimizer. Asymptotic rates of this stability are proved under metric entropy assumptions on the function class. Through the use of a ratio limit inequality, we also prove stability of expected errors of empirical minimizers. Next, we investigate applications of the stability result. In particular, we focus on procedures that optimize an objective function, such as k-means and other clustering methods. We demonstrate that stability of clustering, just like stability of ERM, is closely related to the geometry of the class and the underlying measure. Furthermore, our result on stability of ERM delineates a phase transition between stability and instability of clustering methods. In the last chapter, we prove a generalization of the bounded-difference concentration inequality for almost-everywhere smooth functions. This result can be utilized to analyze algorithms which are almost always stable. Next, we prove a phase transition in the concentration of almost-everywhere smooth functions. Finally, a tight concentration of empirical errors of empirical minimizers is shown under an assumption on the underlying space.
by Alexander Rakhlin.
Ph.D.
Secil, Selcen Ozkaya. "The Investigation Of Cognitive Processes In Mathematics Learning With Item Response Theory." Phd thesis, METU, 2009. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12611219/index.pdf.
Full textbare minimum&rdquo
or qualitative and clear descriptors for performance levels. A great importance is dedicated to the national exam results expressed in percentage terms of the correct responses, or in total score points in weighted scale scores, but there is still no system of presenting to students their scores with descriptions of these scores in terms of levels of skills that they did or did not reach. Therefore, this study has aimed to identify the knowledge and skills required for different performance levels defined by setting cut points for the results of a 4th grade mathematics achievement test. The test was conducted in 2007-2008 academic year with 269 fourth grade students in eight different private primary schools in Istanbul. Then, in 2008-2009 academic year, a group of ten teachers of mathematics and assessment experts took part in the study for identifying the performance level descriptors for 4th grade mathematics performance. Two different methods of standard setting were used. One of the methods was based on the oneparameter model of Item Response Theory (IRT) and mostly named as Bookmark Method. The method depended on the statistical identification of the cut points on the scale for performance levels such as Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. The other method was a judgmental method which required the participant teachers to classify the item as carrying the characteristics of performance levels, again, as Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. The study revealed that the item mappings from two methods were congruent to each other. There was a hierarchical ordering in terms of skills among the performance levels. Also, the results demonstrated that understanding and computation skills were heavily characteristics of Below Basic and Basic levels, whereas, problem solving skill was reached by the students of Proficient and Advanced levels.
Wang, Bo. "Sequencing Tracing with Imagination: A Cognitive Load Perspective." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2022. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/28780.
Full textBajic, Daniel Andrew. "The temporal dynamics of strategy execution in cognitive skill learning." Diss., [La Jolla] : University of California, San Diego, 2009. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3369155.
Full textTitle from first page of PDF file (viewed September 15, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.
Walmsley, Bradley Desmond. "Using concepts drawn from cognitive theory, setting theory, and activity theory to develop student thinking in technology education classes." Thesis, Griffith University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366896.
Full textThesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Education and Professional Studies
Arts, Education and Law
Full Text
Lyndon, Edward Harry. "Conceptual mediation : a new theory and a new method of conceptual change /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phl988.pdf.
Full textFrank, Ernest. "The effect of individual difference variables, learning environment, and cognitive task on statistical learning performance." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2000. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=1383.
Full textTitle from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xvi, 183 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 160-173).
Skulmowski, Alexander, and Günter Daniel Rey. "Measuring Cognitive Load in Embodied Learning Settings." Universitätsbibliothek Chemnitz, 2017. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:ch1-qucosa-227345.
Full textEasterbrook, Adam. "A critique of parental monitoring using Bandura's social cognitive learning theory as framework." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31613.
Full textArts, Faculty of
Sociology, Department of
Graduate
Torcasio, Susannah Marie Education Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences UNSW. "The use of illustrations when learning to read: a cognitive load theory approach." Publisher:University of New South Wales. Education, 2009. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/43714.
Full textBuxton, Laurie. "Cognitive-affective interaction in the teaching and learning of mathematics." Thesis, University of Warwick, 1985. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/35583/.
Full textCraig, Gregory (Gregory Lorne) Carleton University Dissertation Psychology. "The effect of unattended digits upon identification of an attended letter; the influence of letter-digit seperation and physical similarity." Ottawa, 1992.
Find full textLyn, André T. "Training end-users, the application of cognitive theory to learning a database software package." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/tape16/PQDD_0035/MQ27039.pdf.
Full textLyn, Andre T. (Andre Tyrone) Carleton University Dissertation Management Studies. "Training end-users: The application of cognitive theory to learning a database software package." Ottawa, 1997.
Find full textBrown, TeAirra Monique. "Playing to Win: Applying Cognitive Theory and Gamification to Augmented Reality for Enhanced Mathematical Outcomes in Underrepresented Student Populations." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/97340.
Full textPHD
Nelson, Jonathan David. "Optimal experimental design as a theory of perceptual and cognitive information acquisition /." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2005. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3191765.
Full textAlkan, Serkan. "Factors Effecting Eye Tracking Measures And Achievement In Multimedia Learning." Phd thesis, METU, 2013. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12615691/index.pdf.
Full texthowever, in one version in Experiment 2, narration was removed from background during the experiment. In Experiment 3, different group of participants studied two versions of mechanism lessons. One of the mechanism lessons was system-paced. The other one was also self-paced
however, in this one, the learner decided to proceed to next slide as his or her own choice. After studying lessons, participants completed an achievement test, which consisted of recognition, recall, and transfer questions. The results showed that fixation count, fixation duration, total fixation duration, and total visit duration showed significant differences as well as interactions as per fragments, familiarity, areas of interest, and type of images, varying in accordance with the lesson type. The correlations among scores of achievement tests and eye tracking metrics were also reported. The results are discussed within the scope of cognitive theory of multimedia learning design principles and cognitive load theory in the conclusion chapter.
Grieve, Susan M. "Cognitive Load Theory Principles Applied to Simulation Instructional Design for Novice Health Professional Learners." Diss., NSUWorks, 2019. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/78.
Full textCortese, Juliann. "A social cognitivist view of hypermedia learning." Connect to resource, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1117124538.
Full textTitle from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xv, 201 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-201). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center
Pawley, Duncan Medway Education Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences UNSW. "A cognitive load approach to instruction in formation of algebraic equations." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Education, 2004. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/20494.
Full textLewis, Moya A. "Teacher torque: A research project investigating student cognitive engagement through observations of non-verbal responses to certain forms of classroom questions." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/661.
Full textZacharias, Sally. "The linguistic representation of abstract concepts in learning science : a cognitive discursive approach." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/55599/.
Full textZaldivar, Marc Robert. "Blending cognitive rule-based, process-based, and context-based theories in the development of online grammar instruction." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/29533.
Full textPh. D.
Carr, Adrienne L. "Examining the Effects of Media on Learners’ Mental Representations and Cognitive Processes in Science." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1196106424.
Full textAlenezi, Dalal. "A study of learning mathematics related to some cognitive factors and to attitudes." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2008. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/333/.
Full textPagnotta, Murillo. "Living and learning together : integrating developmental systems theory, radical embodied cognitive science, and relational thinking in the study of social learning." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/16386.
Full textCerni, Tom. "Information-processing and leadership in school principals : cognitive-experiential self theory and transformational leadership." Thesis, View thesis, 2009. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/43294.
Full textLee, Chwee Beng. "Capturing and assessing conceptual change in problem solving." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/5886.
Full textThe entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (May 2, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.
Boese, Nancy M. "The effects of bilingualism on adult multitasking abilities the myth and merit of "brain boosting" /." Online version, 2008. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2008/2008boesen.pdf.
Full textYahaya, Ros Aizan. "Immersive virtual reality learning environment : learning decision-making skills in a virtual reality-enhanced learning environment." Queensland University of Technology, 2007. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16489/.
Full textYahaya, Ros. "Immersive virtual reality learning environment : learning decision-making skills in a virtual reality-enhanced learning environment." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2007. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16489/1/Roy_Yahaya_Thesis.pdf.
Full textDommers, Eric. "Social cognitive theory and type ii diabetes education: A case study." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2003. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/36681/1/36681_Digitised%20Thesis.pdf.
Full textWilson, Edwin L. "A study of the cognitive styles and learning preferences of Fire Service officers." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 1999. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/287/.
Full textTaylor, Donna Lester. "A kaleidoscope of decisions using cognitive flexibility theory to advance a novice ESOL teacher's scaffolding expertise /." unrestricted, 2007. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/etd-07312007-084841/.
Full textJoyce E. Many, committee chair; Mona W. Matthews, Dana L. Fox, Lori N. Elliott, committee members. Electronic text (190 p. : ill. (some col.)) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 19, 2008; title from file title page. Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-187).
Almahasneh, Randa. "The effects of beliefs about knowledge and learning on students' self-regulated studying /." Burnaby B.C. : Simon Fraser University, 2006. http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/handle/1892/2800.
Full textStrobel, Johannes M. J. "Historical reasoning with a cognitive flexibility hypertext authoring system : an explorative study on the role of epistemological beliefs on advanced knowledge acquisition /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 2004. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p3164544.
Full textPaparello, Silvia. "The many faces of neurocognitive development behavior and neurocorrelates of holistic face processing /." Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2007. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3284166.
Full textTitle from first page of PDF file (viewed January 14, 2008). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Faces are central stimuli in our everyday life, hence, face processing is a sophisticated and highly specialized cognitive ability, at which adults are experts and children are proficient. Unlike other visuospatial abilities, face perception develops very slowly, becoming adult-like only well into adolescence. Some performance disparities between children and adults may reflect differences in general cognitive abilities, such as attention and memory. Alternatively, performance differences can be attributed to specific cognitive strategies implemented during face processing by different age groups; or to the interaction between the improvement of general abilities throughout development and the refinement of face specific cognitive strategies. The intent of the current studies was to further assess the development of and relationship between cognitive strategies in face processing. Specifically, we investigated the behavior and neurocorrelates associated with holistic face processing in children (8- to 11-year-olds), adolescents, and adults, utilizing the composite face effect. The task requires participants to engage in both holistic and featural processing, but certain trials (aligned-same) elicit a visual illusion called the composite face effect (CFE, calculated as difference between misaligned-same and aligned-same trials), which is considered an index of holistic processing. All age groups (adults, adolescents, 8- to 9-year-olds, 10- to 11-year-olds) showed a CFE, suggesting reliance on holistic processing. Notably, about half of the 8- to 11-year-old children displayed adult-like behavior and adult-like CFE, suggesting their reliance on holistic processing. However, the other half of the children performed below-chance on aligned-same trials, displayed an extremely large CFE, and a significant difference between different trials, suggesting reliance on a featural strategy. Thus child age groups were regrouped according to their accuracy performance on the hardest condition (aligned-same trials) into high performing and low performing children. We hypothesize that the aligned-same trials were too taxing for low-performing children, thus they fell back into relying on simpler strategies such as a difference-detection featural strategy. In order to further investigate the CFE behavioral differences between age and performance groups, we completed an imaging study. For the fMRI study children were grouped by performance rather than age following the results of our behavioral study. Overall, our imaging results for the CFE, thus for holistic processing, resembled behavioral results in that adult and high performing child groups revealed a similar (but not identical) whole-brain pattern of activation, whereas the low performing child group showed a distinctive pattern of activation for the composite face effect. Adults and high performing children showed a pattern of activation spanning frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. In contrast, low performing children revealed a pattern of activation that spanned frontal, temporal, cingulate, and cerebellar regions. Brain areas typically associated with face processing, such as the right fusiform gyrus and right inferior temporal gyrus did not reach significance for the low performing child group. These differences may be attributable to the use of different cognitive strategies. However, the extent of frontal and cingulate cortex activation in low performing children may also suggest that because the task was especially difficult for them, working memory resources were particularly taxed, thus affecting the neural network engaged. Importantly, not only were performance differences associated with distinct neurocorrelates (i.e., differing profiles for low performing children vs. high performing children and adults), but age differences also had an appreciable effect. In fact, high performing children did not significantly differ from adults in the behavioral CFE, but did show differences in the neural CFE.