Reaction time

Subjective Variables

Can only be evaluated through self-report methods (e.g., questionnaires, visual analogue scales) and reflect personal experiences that cannot be externally observed.

Objective Variables

Measured with various devices, providing quantifiable data; allow for simultaneous assessment with subjective variables for comprehensive insights.

Reaction Time (RT)

The time taken by participants to respond to stimuli, measured in milliseconds.

Average RT for auditory stimuli

Approximately 160 ms in ideal conditions.

Average RT for visual stimuli

Approximately 190 ms in ideal conditions; can increase with age.

Effects of Fixed Interval on RT

Fixed intervals reduce average RT, indicating a role of predictability in sensory processing.

Complex Decisions

More complex tasks result in longer RTs, such as identifying specific stimuli.

Conner’s Continuous Performance Test

A task where participants respond to most stimuli except for a designated one (e.g., letter X).

Stroop Test

Measures processing delay due to incongruence between the color of letters and the color names (e.g., naming the color of 'red' written in 'blue').

Implicit Association Test (IAT)

Measures increased RT indicating the need to inhibit default responses.

Advantages of RT Measurements

Flexible, widely applicable in exploring human information processing, and do not require complex machinery.