Response preparation and latency in patterns of tapping movements

Abstract There is considerable though not unequivocable evidence that a direct relationship exists between simple reaction time (RT) and response complexity. A simple RT experiment is reported in which subjects reproduced series of one to six isochronous tones as accurately as possible by tapping with a single finger on a response key. An hypothesis is tested regarding why the processes of motor program implementation are delayed until after the signal to respond. By removing all sources of stimulus uncertainty the link between program implementation and response execution is examined. Results showed a significant linear increase in simple RT with increasing response complexity. This supports the position that stimulus uncertainty is not a necessary cause of delay in program implementation processes. The accuracy and consistency of interresponse interval (IRI) reproduction are also discussed.

[1]  D. Vorberg,et al.  Timing of Two‐Handed Rhythmic Performance a , 1984, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

[2]  B. Kerr,et al.  Is reaction time different for long and short response durations in simple and choice conditions? , 1979, Journal of motor behavior.

[3]  K. M. Newell,et al.  Relative contribution of movement time, amplitude, and velocity to response initiation. , 1980 .

[4]  Stuart T. Klapp,et al.  Syllable-dependent pronunciation latencies in number naming: A replication. , 1974 .

[5]  Stephen Monsell,et al.  The Latency and Duration of Rapid Movement Sequences: Comparisons of Speech and Typewriting , 1978 .

[6]  A. Thomassen,et al.  Preparation of partly precued handwriting movements: The size of movement units in handwriting , 1983 .

[7]  C. Eriksen,et al.  Implicit speech: Mechanism in perceptual encoding? , 1970 .

[8]  R. Schmidt,et al.  A test of the adams-creamer decay hypothesis for the timing of motor responses. , 1970, Journal of motor behavior.

[9]  Hans-Leo Teulings,et al.  RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS OF PREPARED AND RESTRUCTURED HANDWRITING , 1983 .

[10]  D J Povel,et al.  Internal representation of simple temporal patterns. , 1981, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[11]  Gerard P. van Galen,et al.  Programming in handwriting: Reaction time and movement time as a function of sequence length , 1983 .

[12]  A Semjen,et al.  Planning and timing of finger-tapping sequences with a stressed element. , 1986, Journal of motor behavior.

[13]  S. T. Klapp,et al.  Implicit speech in reading: Reconsidered , 1973 .

[14]  A. Gordon,et al.  Choosing between movement sequences: A hierarchical editor model. , 1984 .

[15]  Hans-Leo Teulings,et al.  The Elementary Units of Programming in Handwriting , 1986 .

[16]  M G Fischman,et al.  Programming time as a function of number of movement parts and changes in movement direction. , 1984, Journal of motor behavior.

[17]  H. Huynh,et al.  Estimation of the Box Correction for Degrees of Freedom from Sample Data in Randomized Block and Split-Plot Designs , 1976 .

[18]  R B Ivry,et al.  Force and timing components of the motor program. , 1986, Journal of motor behavior.

[19]  S T Klapp,et al.  Programming time as a function of response duration: a replication of "dit-dah" without possible guessing artifacts. , 1982, Journal of motor behavior.

[20]  Frank N. Freeman,et al.  Preliminary experiments on writing and reactions. , 2022 .

[21]  D A Rosenbaum,et al.  Scheduling and programming of rapid finger sequences: tests and elaborations of the hierarchical editor model. , 1987, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[22]  S T Klapp,et al.  Motor programming is not the only process which can influence RT: some thoughts on the Marteniuk and MacKenzie analysis. , 1981, Journal of motor behavior.

[23]  F. M. Henry,et al.  Increased Response Latency for Complicated Movements and A “Memory Drum” Theory of Neuromotor Reaction , 1960 .

[24]  S. T. Klapp,et al.  REACTION TIME ANALYSIS Of PROGRAMMED CONTROL , 1977, Exercise and sport sciences reviews.

[25]  S. T. Klapp,et al.  Response programming in simple and choice reactions. , 1974, Journal of motor behavior.

[26]  A Semjen,et al.  On Controlling Force and Time in Rhythmic Movement Sequences: The Effect of Stress Location , 1984, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

[27]  Saul Sternberg,et al.  TilDing by Skilled Musicians , 1982 .

[28]  R N Robertson,et al.  Response timing variability: coherence of kinematic and EMG parameters. , 1985, Journal of motor behavior.