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THE ROLE OF THE PREPARATORY INTERVAL IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EEG α‐BLOCKINGAND REACTION TIME
Author(s) -
Thompson Larry W.,
Botwinick Jack
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1966.tb02689.x
Subject(s) - psychology , stimulus (psychology) , audiology , electroencephalography , developmental psychology , communication , neuroscience , cognitive psychology , medicine
The association between α‐blocking and improved reaction times (RTs) has not been consistently demonstrated in past studies. The possible importance of the preparatory interval (PI) in this relationship has not been totally assessed, and it was felt that further exploration of this variable would help to explain the discrepancies. RTs were measured in two experiments, each using different types of stimuli and different PI durations. In the first, 4 PIs, 0.5‐, 3.0‐, 6.0‐, and 15.0‐sec, were used in a regular and irregular series. The warning signal was a 400‐cps tone; the stimulus, a 1000‐cps tone. In the second. PIs were 0.50‐, 0.75‐, 1.00‐, and 1.50‐sec; the stimulus was a single flash from a photo stimulator. EEGs were recorded simultaneously from the parieto‐occipital region. Both peak‐to‐peak amplitude measures and subjective ratings of α‐activity were made prior to the onset of the warning signal and the stimulus. The results did not support earlier findings of a relationship between α‐blocking and RT. However, RT and α‐blocking were each (independently) a function of the PI.