Abstract
In this experiment subjects were presented with visual information from two different sources and were required to combine it in order to make the correct response. The time interval between the two signals was varied in two different ways (a) regularly and (b) randomly. Reaction times were measured from the moment of occurrence of the second signal. By this means the time course of the decision procedure involved in combining the information from the two sources was analysed.
Results indicate that subjects may deal with the situation in two ways (i) by means of a “perceptual” classification in which the individual elements are not analysed separately, or (ii) by means of an “intellectual” classification in which each signal is analysed sequentially. These two methods correspond to the experimental conditions of (a) regular intervals and (b) random intervals.
It is argued that when subjects use the latter strategy the results are consistent with the conception of the human operator as an intermittent analysing system.
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