Response processing stages in choice reactions

Abstract

An experiment is reported on the mutual relations between the effects of semantic S-R compatibility, average movement velocity and foreperiod duration on choice reaction time. The major aim of the study was to investigate whether the response code which is selected on the basis of the stimulus code is specific to the particular velocity demands of the ensuing movement. The results show additive effects of all three variables. The additivity of S-R compatibility and average velocity suggests that the selected response code is abstract to specific kinematic movement parameters. From the additive effects of average velocity and foreperiod duration it may be inferred that motor preparation is at least a two-stage process: a programming stage which specifies the particular motor control parameters and a motor adjustment stage which modulates the intensity of preparation at a specific moment in time. The observed relations fit a linear stage model of choice reaction processes.