Effects of Manifest and Induced Anxiety and Experimenter Variability on Simple Reaction Time

Abstract

36 female introductory psychology students were placed in low, medium, or high anxiety groups based on their scores on the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale. Ss were then randomly assigned to either stress or no-stress groups (Ns = 18) and to one of two Es. Simple reaction times were recorded for all Ss for 10 trials. The mean RT was determined for each of 12 conditions and the data fed into a pre-programmed computer. Results lead to the following conclusions: (1) under stress simple RT is slower than under no stress; (2) there is no interaction in RT data among levels of manifest anxiety and the presence or absence of stress; (3) simple RT is not affected by level of manifest anxiety; and (4) significant performance differences are observed when Es alternately administer the experimental treatment, presumably owing to an unconscious experimenter bias.