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An informational approach to reaction times

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Abstract

Simple reaction time is the minimum time required to respond to a signal such as a steady light or tone. Such a reaction time is taken to be the time required for transmission of a fixed quantity of information, ΔH, from stimulus to subject. That is, information summation replaces energy summation. This information is calculated from consideration of the quantum nature of the stimulus. The theoretically derived equation for reaction time is fitted to experimental data. Piéron's empirical law for reaction time is obtained as an approximation from a proposed informational equation. The exponent in Piéron's law is found to be the same as the exponent in the power law of sensation. Threshold appears to be the smallest stimulus capable of transmitting the quantity of information ΔH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    K. H. Norwich, C. N. L. Seburn & E. Axelrad

  2. Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    K. H. Norwich, C. N. L. Seburn & E. Axelrad

Authors
  1. K. H. Norwich
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  2. C. N. L. Seburn
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  3. E. Axelrad
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Norwich, K.H., Seburn, C.N.L. & Axelrad, E. An informational approach to reaction times. Bltn Mathcal Biology 51, 347–358 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460113

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460113

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