Visual Search, Reaction Time, and Cognitive Ability

Abstract

The contributions of visual search to reaction time and cognitive ability were investigated with 45 subjects. Visual search was assessed via eye movements. The electrooculogram was recorded while a subject located letters arranged in a large display. Reaction time was obtained for a search task. A reasoning and a space scale served to assess cognitive ability. Substantial correlations of number, amplitude, and velocity of saccades with reaction time were obtained. Significant correlations of scores on ability scales with reaction times and amplitudes of saccades were also observed. Obviously, subjects of higher ability showed amplitudes better adjusted to the distances between the letters than those of lower ability.