Reduction of Reaction Time Preceding Increased Complexity of Movement

Abstract

In 1960 Henry and Rogers reported reaction time (RT) increased with increased response complexity while response alternatives were held constant. The purpose of the present study was to observe the effects of RT and movement time (MT) when subjects attempted to separate initiation of a task from the subsequent movement response, 24 subjects performed a ball-striking movement in response to an auditory stimulus. In the experimental condition the subjects were instructed to complete initiation as quickly as possible and then make a separate subsequent movement to strike a ball. It was concluded that subjects could not completely separate the initiation phase from the movement phase of the task but could significantly reduce the RT by focusing on the initiation portion of the task.