Auditory Perceptual Test Performance and the Reflection-Impulsivity Dimension

Abstract

The relationship between auditory perceptual test performance and Kagan's Reflection-Impulsivity Dimension was explored with the influence of response-time-free verbal and nonverbal intelligence controlled statistically. Subjects were 44 white, middle-class, kindergarten children. Regardless of whether response-time-free verbal or nonverbal IQ was controlled, significant differences in favor of the reflective children were found on those auditory perceptual instruments manifesting definite response uncertainty. Significant differences between the reflective and impulsive groups were not obtained on the low response uncertainty instrument or on the slight-to-moderate response uncertainty instrument when nonverbal intelligence was held constant. On the whole, the findings support Kagan's theory of reflection-impulsivity which states that impulsive subjects will likely make more incorrect responses than their reflective peers in situations of response uncertainty.