Abstract
“Same”-“different” reaction times (RTs) to random shapes varying independently in either brightness, size, or form were studied in an investigation of visual encoding and comparison processes. The comparison process was investigated by having the varying dimension either cued in advance (set) or not cued (no set). The encoding process was investigated by varying stimulus onset asynchronies. No significant difference was found for the set/no-set variables, providing some evidence for an integrality interpretation. However, the serial and parallel models would still hold if the set variable does not affect either dimensional processing rate or order. The significant difference found between the various stimulus onset asynchronies was interpreted as evidence for a limited-capacity encoding mechanism. The results were also consistent with a two-process model of comparison processes.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bamber, D. Reaction times and error rates for “same”-“different” judgments of multidimensional stimuli,Perception & Psychophysics, 1969,6, 169–174.
Bertelson, P. The time course of preparation.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1967,19, 272–279.
Bindra, D., Donderi D., &Nishisato, S. Decision latencies of “same” and “different” judgments.Perception & Psychophysics, 1968,3, 121–130.
Colegate, R. L., Hoffman, J. E., &Eriksen, C. W. Selective encoding from multidimensional visual displays.Perception & Psychophysics. 1973,14, 217–224.
Downing, B. D., &Gossman, J. R. Parallel processing of multidimensional stimuli.Perception & Psychophysics, 1970,8, 57–60.
Egeth, H. E. Parallel versus serial processes in multidimensional stimulus discrimination.Perception & Psychophysics. 1966,1, 245–252.
Garner, W. R., &Felfoldy, G. L. Integrality of stimulus dimensions in various types of information processing.Cognitive Psychology, 1970,1, 225–241.
Grill, D. Variables influencing the mode of processing of complex stimuli.Perception & Psychophysics, 1971,10, 51–57.
Hawkins, H. L. Parallel processing in complex visual discriminations.Perception & Psychophysics, 1969,5, 56–64.
Kerr, B. Processing demands during mental operations.Memory & Cognition, 1973,1, 401–411.
Krueger, L. E. Effects of bracketing lines on speed of “same”-“different” judgments of two adjacent letters.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1970,84, 324–330.
Lockhead, G. R. The effects of dimensional redundancy on visual discrimination.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1966,72, 95–104.
Murdock, B. B. A parallel processing model for scanning.Perception & Psychophysics, 1971,10, 289–191.
Nickerson, R. S. “Same”-“different” response times with multi-attribute stimulus differences.Perceptual & Motor Skills, 1967,24, 543–554.
Nickerson, R. S. Binary-classification reaction time: A review of some studies of human information-processing capabilities.Psychonomic Monograph Supplements, 1972,4, 1–318.
Posner, M. I., &Boies, S. J. Components of attention.Psychological Review, 1971,78, 391–408.
Saraga, E., &Shallice, T. Parallel processing of the attributes of single stimuli.Perception & Psychophysics, 1973,13, 261–270.
Shiffrin, R. M., &Gardner, G. T. Visual processing capacity and attentional control.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1972,93, 71–82.
Snodgrass, J. G. Matching patterns vs matching digits: The effect of memory dependence and complexity on “same”-“different” reaction times.Perception & Psychophysics, 1972,11, 341–349.
Sperling, G. Successive approximations to a model for short-term memory.Acta Psychologica, 1967,27, 285–292.
Tversky, B. Pictorial and verbal encoding in a short-term memory task.Perception & Psychophysics, 1969,6, 225–233.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The present study is based on a dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the PhD degree.
A version of this paper was presented at the Western Psychological Association Convention, 1973.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Decker, L.R. The effect of method of presentation, set, and stimulus dimensions on “same”-“different” reaction times. Perception & Psychophysics 16, 271–275 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03203941
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03203941