Reaction Time and Psychophysiological Activity

Abstract

Disjunctive reaction times (RT) involving two interstimulus intervals were obtained from 10 subjects during 4 sessions while recording heart period, skin conductance, and EEG. Multiple regression analysis indicated complex relationships between RT and skin conductance and heart period which varied with session level. The relationship of RT and skin conductance was predominantly linear but positive when level of skin conductance was low and negative when high. Heart period showed a predominantly curvilinear trend which also varied with level during the session. Fastest RTs tended to occur with long heart periods in short heart period sessions and vice versa. Fast RTs were also accompanied by relatively low EEG power before and after stimulation and by higher EEG frequency after the stimulus. The pattern of findings did not fully accord with the expectations of activation theory, and the proportion of RT variance accounted for was small. It is suggested that activation may vary to maintain a constant level of motor performance Faster RT may occur under relaxed conditions and high arousal, and concentrated attentiveness may be an attempt to compensate for boredom or distraction.