Final answer:
Consistent versus varied mapping refers to whether targets and distractors maintain or change roles in cognitive tasks. Consistent mapping allows for faster learning as the process becomes automated, while varied mapping requires greater attention and cognitive resources, leading to different learning outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing consistent versus varied mapping with targets and distractors, we are referring to the principle in cognitive psychology that looks at how the brain processes stimuli that are consistent or varied within a given task. In consistent mapping, targets and distractors do not change roles, leading to better performance over time as the process becomes more automated. On the other hand, varied mapping involves a situation where targets and distractors can switch roles, and therefore requires constant attention and adjustment, often resulting in slower response times and a higher cognitive load.
For example, in a visual search task, if the targets and distractors are kept consistent, participants learn to ignore the distractors and focus on the targets more efficiently. Conversely, if the distractors can become targets in some trials, the participant cannot simply ignore the distractors and must maintain a more focused level of attention to perform the task, leading to different learning outcomes compared to consistent mapping.
This concept is related to cognitive heuristics, where the brain prefers shortcuts that have been proven effective in past experiences, which is why performance increases with consistent mapping, as the brain establishes a heuristic for the target-distractor relationship. However, with varied mapping, the brain cannot rely on these shortcuts and must work harder to accomplish the task.