Reaction Time and Complexity of Subsequent Responses

Abstract

Two series of experiments were designed to investigate the delay in RT as a function of S’s expectancy of future responses. The first series (Time Relation) investigated the effect of lengthening the time interval between pairs of choice RTs and comparing S’s response to the first signal with his response to a single signal. Interval was not significant and, in addition, this series of experiments failed to replicate the results of earlier investigators who found a significant delay. The second series (Complexity) investigated the effect of making S’s multiple responses increasingly complex and comparing his first response of this multiple set to his response to a single signal. Complexity level was not a significant variable. However, there now was a significant difference between a single response and the first response of a multiple set. The results of the two series were interpreted as being due to a difference in S’s expectancy.