Abstract
Eighty Ss performed a visual or auditory disjunctive reaction time (DRT) task in which some of the task stimuli were preceded, at irregular intervals, by an intense visual or auditory “orienting stimulus.” Initially the orienting stimuli impaired speed of response, but on subsequent presentations produced shorter DRTs than when no orienting stimulus was given. It is suggested that the warning signal used in RT experiments may influence performance not only as a result of the information it carries, but also because it may elicit an orienting reaction.
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This research was supported by a grant (9425-10) from the Defence Research Board of Canada to Dr. Dalbir Bindra.
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Blackman, R. The effect of the orienting reaction on disjunctive reaction time. Psychon Sci 4, 411–412 (1966). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342365
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342365