Physiological Response to Relevant and Irrelevant Stimuli in a Simple Reaction Time Situation

Abstract

Simple reaction time to a light was measured under two conditions: (a) with an intense (100 db) or moderate (60 db) auditory stimulus always coming 5 sec before the light; and (b) with a random relationship between the times at which the auditory stimuli and lights occurred. Response times showed relationships with a physiological measure of autonomic response. The results are discussed in terms of: (i) orienting and defence reactions to potentially stressful stimuli, and (ii) intense auditory stimuli as stressors.