Effect of Smoking on Visual Search Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine what effect no-smoking or reduced smoking had on time required to find a target on static displays. Four males served as Ss in the experimental group and four in the control groups. Search performance improved 34% for a group of habitual smokers who reduced their smoking or abstained from smoking for 2 wk. In contrast, search performance improved only 6% for the control group of smokers and 25% for the control group of nonsmokers. Although only a few Ss were measured, results indicate further study should be made.