Incorporating episodic memory into quantum models of judgment and decision

TL;DR

This work addresses how to incorporate episodic memory into quantum models of judgment and decision making, focusing on how recently experienced judgments influence later ones. It compares three measurement-based approaches—OK (instrument-based), BB (system-plus-environment with memory), and OB (a hybrid instrument-memory model)—through their treatment of question order effects and the QQ equality. The key contribution is showing that generalized measurement formalisms with environment- or memory-augmented representations can capture both order effects and memory repetition phenomena, providing a unified framework that extends beyond traditional projective measurements. The findings advance quantum cognition by offering flexible, CP-compatible models that preserve memory across sequential judgments, with implications for modeling real-world decision processes and memory-related biases.

Abstract

An important challenge for quantum theories of cognition and decision concerns the incorporation of memory for recently made judgments and their effects on later judgments. First, we review a general approach to measurement based on system plus environment representations of states and measurement instruments. These more general measurement models provide ways to incorporate effects of recent judgments on later judgments. Then we compare three different measurement models that are based on these more general measurement operations to a puzzling collection of question order effect findings.