The Effects of Cold on the Performance of Serial Choice Reaction Time and Various Discrete Tasks

Abstract

Two experiments are reported in which subjects performed a number of tasks before, during, and following exposure to cold. The main performance task, involving serial choice reaction times, yielded consistently large increases in error that were attendant upon reductions in mean skin temperature, and appeared largely independent of any fall in rectal temperature. Other more discrete tasks investigated over the two experiments included a simple reaction time test and the Stroop Word Color Test. The results of these tests indicated no significant performance changes in the cold. Performance on a verbal reasoning test, however, was slightly improved in the cold. The results are discussed in terms of an arousal versus distraction hypothesis of cold effects.