History of psychology. Reaction Time Study (Most Important)

Lecture notes, cheat sheets
Free library / Directory / Lecture notes, cheat sheets

History of psychology. Reaction Time Study (Most Important)

Lecture notes, cheat sheets

Table of contents (expand)

38. STUDY OF THE REACTION TIME

A reaction is an organism's response to an external or internal stimulus. The reaction time is the time interval from the beginning of the action of the stimulus to the occurrence of the body's response to it.

Physiologists Z. Exner and F. Donders were the first to measure time using the mental components of the reaction. Z. Exner measured elementary mental reactions in stages: first auditory, then visual and skin.

He studied the features of measuring a primitive reaction depending on the age of the subjects, on the saturation of stimuli, the effects of fatigue, the effects of alcohol, etc. It was in the works of Z. Exner that the term "reaction time" arose.

While Z. Exner was studying the determination of the time of nervous excitation in various parts of the reflex arc, another physiologist, F. Donders, moved on to measuring the direct mental component of a single reaction. He determined that the duration of the mental component of the reaction does not exceed 1/10 s; to clarify the result, F. Donders introduced terms such as the act of discrimination and the act of choice, which made it possible to calculate the reaction time more accurately.

There are two ways to study reaction times.

1. Measurement of the time of an elementary mental reaction.

A mental reaction is a primitive sensorimotor reaction to a particular stimulus. The reaction time is formed from:

1) latent (hidden) period;

2) delays in the course of mental processes, depending on the personal characteristics of the subjects. The delay limits for a light stimulus are 180-200 ms, for a sound stimulus - 150-180 ms. Required instruments: a meter for clearly following one after another reactions, a design for supplying light and sound signals.

Conducting research. The subject is located directly in front of the device, holding his finger on the button. Instructions are provided: "When a sound or light signal appears, immediately press the button."

2. Research stages:

1) the atmosphere of complete silence and psycho-physiological rest of the subject;

2) abstraction of the subject through the formation of conscious interference in the performance of sensorimotor reactions.

Each stage of the examination includes the performance by the subjects of 10 sensorimotor reactions - to sound and light stimuli with an interval of 3-5 s. The command is given in advance: "Attention!" The reaction time for each stimulus is recorded. After that, the second series of stimuli is provided, but already in the conditions of creating interference - noises and sounds of various nature. Reaction times are also recorded.

Author: Anokhina Z.V.

<< Back: Psychophysiology of the sense organs

>> Forward: Programs for building psychology as an experimental science

We recommend interesting articles Section Lecture notes, cheat sheets:

▪ General and clinical immunology. Crib

▪ Consumer behavior. Crib

▪ Innovation management. Crib

See other articles Section Lecture notes, cheat sheets.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Eye-Fi Mobi cards for wireless image transfer 06.06.2013

The range of Eye-Fi, which produces SD memory cards combined with wireless adapters, has been replenished with two models of the new Eye-Fi Mobi series.

According to the manufacturer, Eye-Fi Mobi is the first memory card specifically designed to link a camera and a mobile device. Pictures taken by the camera in which such a card is installed are instantly visible on a tablet or smartphone with iOS or Android connected via a wireless channel.

Mobi claims to eliminate the hassle of transferring footage, allowing the photographer to focus on the shoot. Pictures transferred to a mobile device can be viewed, edited, shared on social networks and sent by mail as if they were taken with the built-in camera of a smartphone or tablet. There is no need to put up with the limitations of the built-in camera.

Among the advantages of Eye-Fi Mobi, the manufacturer notes the ease of installation and use. It does not require a computer or other equipment to operate. It is enough to install the appropriate application on your mobile device and enter the 10-digit card ID. One and the same card can be linked to several mobile devices. Although Wi-Fi is used for communication, no router or access point is needed.

The novelty is offered in two versions of volume: 8 and 16 GB. The cards cost $50 and $80 respectively. Both are labeled Class 10.

Other interesting news:

▪ New 103/4/5 RF Field Level Meter

▪ Brown crabs suffer from marine cables

▪ information engine

▪ ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1080 Ti and Turbo GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards from Asus

▪ Cars go on rails

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ site section Digital technology. Article selection

▪ article by Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle. Famous aphorisms

▪ article Why is Pokémon games banned in Saudi Arabia? Detailed answer

▪ article Operator for the dispatching service of elevators. Standard instruction on labor protection

▪ article Generator to control a multi-color LED. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Electronic tuning of the receiver. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews