Lecture 4a, Information Processing II

Question 1

Factors Influencing Information Processing

Answer 1

stimulus identification: stimulus characteristics

response selection: event predictability/anticipation. S-R compatibility and # S-R choices

response programming: response complexity

Question 2

What factors affect stimulus identification?

Answer 2

stimulus characteristics: clarity and intensity, modality & pattern familiarity

Question 3

Factors affecting Stimulus ID: Clarity & Intensity

Answer 3

visual stimulus definition
“sharpness” (vs. blurry/focus) - how clear or sharp an stimulus is will impact our reaction time
- if it is blurry it takes longer to identify whereas if it is in focus our reaction time will be faster
increased clarity ↓ RT

brightness, color and loudness of the stimulus
- the more intense a stimulus is, the lower the reaction time (the faster information is processing)
- a floor effect: when stimulus intensity decreases there may be no reaction time because it is unable to be detected
increased intensity ↓ RT

Question 4

Factors Affecting Stimulus ID: Modality

Answer 4

auditory simple RT is faster than visual
- auditory stimulus
◦ SRT = 140-160 ms
- visual stimulus
◦ SRT = 180-200 ms

Question 5

Factors Affecting Stimulus ID: Pattern Familiarity

Answer 5

• experts are able to recognize patterns of play more quickly than novices
• experience provides more exposure to meaningful patterns

Question 6

What factors affect response selection?

Answer 6

event predictability/anticipation, S-R compatibility and # S-R choices

Question 7

Event predictability affects response selection

Answer 7

• allows performers to anticipate and bias preparation processes; perform certain processing activities in advance
  ** advance information allows you to bypass a stage of information processing: response selection **

RT decreases when precue is useful or valid!

Question 8

What happens when precue is invalid?

Answer 8

RT increases! - to when you did not receive anything at all

Question 9

Event Predictability

Answer 9

advance information allows anticipation of where (how) to respond
- more experience tennis players pick up body cues (hip position, shoulder)
- giving advance information of knowing where the ball will be hit
- if they respond to only imperative stimulus there is no anticipation