Simple Reaction Time Task

Background

The Simple Reaction Time Tasks are simple measures of visual and/or auditory processing speed added to the library by Millisecond Software mainly as demonstration scripts. Both scripts present a simple stimulus (visual: a red circle; auditory: a beep), presented at random time intervals and require a spacebar press once the stimulus is detected.

Alternative visual reaction times tasks offered by Millisecond that are based on published paradigms are the Deary-Liewald Simple Reaction Time Task (DLS), the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) (both tests work with keyboard response input) and the Reactiontime Battery for the Touchscreen. A alternative for the auditory task is the <a href=""https://www.millisecond.com/library/simplereactiontime/simpleauditoryreactiontimetask">Simple Auditory Reaction Time Task – Keyboard , based on the published procedure by D.B. Fry from 1975.

Task Procedure

Simple Visual Reaction Time Task

After a brief introduction to the task, the script runs one block of 20 trials. In each trial, a red circle appears in the middle of the screen (Note: the location can be changed to random) with a 2-8 second delay. Participants must press the spacebar as soon as they see the circle. Early responses are simply ignored. The script reports simple descriptive latency measures such as means, standard deviations, and medians.

Simple Auditory Reaction Time Task

After a brief introduction to the task, the script runs one block of 20 trials. In each trial, a beep is played into both ears with a 2-8 second delay. Participants must press the spacebar as soon as they hear the sound. Early responses are simply ignored. The script reports simple descriptive latency measures such as means, standard deviations, and medians.

What it Measures

The Simple Reaction Time Tasks are measures of processing speed

Psychological domains

• Processing Speed: Ability to quickly perceive a stimulus, process the information, and initiate a response

Main Performance Metrics

• Response Times: mean and median response times (in ms) to stimulus presentation; main measure of processing speed
• Response Times Variability: response time variability across the task duration

Psychiatric Conditions

The Simple Reaction Time Tasks are intended as demonstration scripts only.

Test Variations

References

Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Simple Reaction Time Task.

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Bliss, C.B. (1893) Investigations in Reaction-Time and Attention. Studies from the Yale Pyschological Laboratory, 1, 1-55.

Teichner, W.H. (1954). Rectent Studies of Simple Reaction Time, Psychological Bulletin, 51, 128-149.

Simon, J.R. (1967). Ear Preference in a Simple Reaction-Time Task

Hanninen, H. (1971) Psychological Picture of Manifest and Latent Carbon Disulphide Poisoning. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 28, 374-381.

Fry, D.B. (1975). Simple Reaction-Times to Speech and Non-Speech Stimuli. Cortex, 11, 355-360.

Fry, D.B. (1975). Simple Reaction-Times to Speech and Non-Speech Stimuli. Cortex, 11, 355-360.

Murray, M.M., Foxe, J.J., Higgins, B.A., Javitt, D.C., Shroeder, C.E. (2001). Visuo-spatial neural response interactions in early cortical processing during a simple reaction time task: a high-density electrical mapping study. Neuropsychologia, 39, 828-844.

Van Den Berg, J. & Neely, G. (2006). Performance on a simple reactdion time task while sleep deprived. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 102, 589-599.