Reaction Time (Information Processing)

Question 1

Hicks law

Answer 1

We are given more choices (stimuli) to respond to, our reaction time increases, therefore slowing down the movement and/or response

Question 2

Single-channel hypothesis

Answer 2

Only one stimuli can only be processed at a time
Second stimulus must wait until the first has been processed (queuing cars traffic lights)
Any further stimulus must wait to be processed
The delays in processing a 2nd stimulus increases response time (explains hicks law) the more choices the slower the response

Question 3

Psychological refractory period

Answer 3

Explains the delay in that occurs because we can only process one stimuli at a time

Question 4

Psychological refractory period : what would happen if a stimulus arrived before we completed processing the previous one?

Answer 4

There would be a delay
Confusion caused is called psychological refractory period
Performer might ‘freeze’ momentarily while they are sorting out the conflicting information

Question 5

Example of psychological refractory period

Answer 5

Ball hits net tape in tennis

Question 6

How can you use psychological refractory period to your advantage?

Answer 6

S1 - first stimulus e.g. ball to right for a right handed volley in tennis
R1 - the response to S1, a right handed volley
S2 - is the ball hitting the net which means the volley is now not going to happen
R2 - is the response to the deflection which will happen, or not, after a delay while s1 is dealt with, even though it might not now happen

Question 7

Anticipation

Answer 7

When a performer tries to pre-judge a stimulus
Many use info from environment in the form of signals or opponent ‘cues’ (body language/positioning)
Can be learned prior to a game by researching the opponents

Question 8

2 types of anticipation

Answer 8

Temporal
Spatial

Question 9

Temporal anticipation

Answer 9

Pre-judging when the stimuli is going to happen

Question 10

What happens when you have the correct anticipation?

Answer 10

Improves response time
Info can be processed before it has actually happened - the response can happen immediately
PRP can have an impact so performers need to be aware

Question 11

Ways to improve response time (5)

Answer 11

1. Mental practice
2. Train a specific stimulus
3. Learn to concentrate better
4. Improve fitness
5. Use anticipation

Question 12

Reaction time definition

Answer 12

Time taken from the onset of a stimulus to the onset of the response

Question 13

Movement time definition

Answer 13

The time taken from the start to the completion of the action for the required task

Question 14

Response time definition

Answer 14

Total time from the onset of the stimulus to the completion of the task

Question 15

Response time =

Answer 15

Reaction time + movement time

Question 16

2 types of reaction time

Answer 16

Simple
Choice

Question 17

Simple reaction time

Answer 17

When there is one specific response to one stimulus e.g. responding to the starters gun at the start of a race

Question 18

Choice reaction time

Answer 18

Numerous stimuli to choose from
Response tends to be much slower
In a team game a player has a number of stimuli to inform their decision

Question 19

Factors influencing response time. (4)

Answer 19

Hicks law
Single channel hypothesis
Psychological refractory period
Anticipation

Question 20

Spatial anticipation

Answer 20

where and what the projected stimuli are going to be