Interactions between Instructions for Speed versus Accuracy and Performance

Abstract

20 male and 20 female subjects were blocked in four groups (5 males and 5 females) of 10 each in a Fitts tapping task. All subjects performed 18 15-sec. trials. Accuracy group trials were all under accuracy-with-speed instructions; speed group trials were under speed-maximizing instructions. Half-and-half group subjects undertook nine accuracy and nine speed trials; alternaring group Subjects had nine of each type of trial, alternating with each trial. Number of responses, target bandwidth, and average amplitude of response were found for each trial using a 10% maximum error criterion on accuracy trials. Significant performance, instruction, arid interaction effects were observed between accuracy and speed groups. Alternating speed with accuracy trials tended to improve information-processing rate (Ip) of speed trials when compared with speed-only subjects but to depress accuracy information-processing scores when compared with accuracy-only subjects. Implications regarding feedback redundancy and the information-processing capacity of the motor and visual systems are discussed.