Effects of Altering Stimulus Components upon Response Latency

Abstract

Two experiments are reported. In Phase 1, O responded by pressing the appropriate key when a light and a sound appeared at the same place and another key when they did not. In Phase 2, relations between location of the light and sound were altered. Phase 3 was identical to Phase 1. Time between presenting a signal and pressing the appropriate key (latency) was measured. Differences in latencies between Phase 1 and Phase 2 were significantly less when both sound and light appeared on the opposite side from the corresponding position of Phase 1 than when only the sound or the light was altered in position.