Having several options does not increase the time it takes to make a movement to an adequate end point

Abstract

Throughout the day, people constantly make choices such as where to direct their gaze or place their foot. When making such movement choices, there are usually multiple acceptable options, although some are more advantageous than others. How much time does it take to make such choices and to what extent is the most advantageous option chosen from the available alternatives? To find out, we asked participants to collect points by tapping on any of several targets with their index finger. It did not take participants more time to direct their movements to an advantageous target when there were more options. Participants chose targets that were advantageous because they were easier to reach. Targets could be easier to reach because the finger was already moving in their direction when they appeared, or because they were larger or oriented along the movement direction so that the finger could move faster towards them without missing them. When the target’s colour indicated that it was worth more points they chose it slightly less fast, presumably because it generally takes longer to respond to colour than to respond to attributes such as size. They also chose it less often than they probably should have, presumably because the advantage of choosing it was established arbitrarily. We conclude that having many options does not increase the time it takes to move to an adequate target.