Some stages of information processing in a choice reaction-time task

Abstract

The purpose of the present experiment was to demonstrate the serial nature of information processing by revealing stages which intervene between a stimulus and a choice response. Three variables were manipulated in a choice reaction-time task involving 12 female Ss: stimulus quality, type of match between test stimulus and alternatives, and number of alternative stimuli. All three variables had significant effects on mean reaction time. The only significant interaction was between type of match and number of alternatives, and this was small in magnitude. The results suggested the existence of at least two additive stages of processing, one affected by stimulus quality and one affected by both type of match and number of alternatives. © 1973 Psychonomic Society, Inc.