Children's Size-Difference Judgments: Latency and Amplitude Effects Associated with Degree of Stimulus Similarity

Abstract

30 7th-grade boys made a series of size difference judgments (which of 2 circles was larger) when faced with circle pairs differing by 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm. in diameter. Response latencies were related in a decreasing, negatively accelerated fashion to difference magnitudes. Evidence for a linear, negative relationship between response amplitude and difference magnitude was also obtained. The relevance of the latter to theories attributing a drive-increment property to conflict was discussed.