The effects of demanding temporal accuracy on the programming of simple tapping sequences

Abstract

This experiment was undertaken in order to determine the effects of movement complexity and the demand for temporal accuracy on simple reaction time (SRT). Subjects listened to 2 to 5 tones separated by intertone intervals of 400 msec and attempted to initiate as quickly as possible, after an imperative stimulus, an accurate temporal reproduction of these tones by tapping on a single response key. Half of the subjects were allowed to vary from the 400 msec criterion without penalty (lenient temporal demands); and half were required to be within ±10% of the 400 msec criterion (360–440 msec) (stringent temporal demands). Increasing the number of taps within a sequence had no effect on SRT when the demands for temporal accuracy were lenient; but caused a nonlinear increase in SRT when stringent temporal demands were imposed. The results indicate that the additional requirement of accuracy had an effect on the manner in which the subjects prepared and initiated their responses. A rule-based approach is suggested as a possible explanation for the differences which occured.