Effects of Post-Detection Response Complexity on Subsequent Monitoring Behavior

This paper examines the effect of the complexity of the post-detection response demands on subsequent monitoring performance at two rates of target presentation. Three conditions requiring differentially complex post-detection responses were compared with a baseline condition in which no post-detection demands were made (save the simple detection-indicating response). The results indicated that two of the three complex conditions were accompanied by significantly less decrement in performance than that found in the baseline condition. The third was not significantly different from the baseline condition. “Arousal theory” could account for the results on the basis that there exists an optimal level of cortical arousal stemming from sensory variation provided by a task. If this hypothetical level is not reached or exceeded, a decrement in performance is to be expected. No clear answer was provided regarding an interaction between effects attributable to signal rate with effects attributable to response complexity.