The effect of cigarette smoking on simple and choice reaction time to colored lights.

Abstract

In this study no attempt was made to eliminate or control such factors as suggestion, anticipation or other factors that are not eliminated or controlled in everyday smoking. Results are summarized by the author as follows: "(1) Individuals differ so much in their simple reaction time to red light and in their choice reaction time to blue light that no statistically reliable normal can be taken as a basis of comparison with smoking sessions. (2) Individuals, both non-smokers and regular smokers, differ markedly in the apparent effect which the smoking of one cigarette has on their reaction times, either simple or choice, to colored light. (3) Individuals differ markedly in the length of time after smoking one cigarette at which the greatest apparent effect of the smoking occurs. (4) Smoking apparently does not significantly affect the number of errors made in choice reaction to red and blue lights. (5) Non-smokers tend to react more slowly to red light for about 5 minutes after smoking one cigarette; regular smokers are little affected. (6) Regular smokers tend to react more rapidly to a choice between red and blue lights for at least one hour after smoking one cigarette; non-smokers are little affected." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)