Choice reaction time: An analysis of the major theoretical positions.

Abstract

The report analyzes and evaluates (against experimental findings) contemporary theories of choice reaction time (CRT). The influence of Donders' subtraction method on current theory is assessed, followed by a review of experimental findings concerned with the effects on CRT of: (1) number of alternatives, (2) stimulus probability, (3) stimulus value, (4) repetition of stimulus or response, (5) stimulus discriminability, (6) stimulus-response compatibility, (7) practice, and (8) emphasis on speed versus accuracy. A three-state conceptualization of the central mechanisms operative during the latent period--stimulus preprocessing, stimulus categorization, and response selection--is proposed. The theories are dichotomized on the basis of the process-template matching versus feature testing--which is assumed to underlie stimulus categorization. The analysis indicates that current theories have neglected response selection processes and are consequently unable to account for several experimental findings. A final section deals with the relation of CRT theories to perceptual recognition theories. (Author)