Individual differences in the resolution of response uncertainty.

Abstract

Assessed the generality of a tendency toward fast vs. slow response times in 2 different situations: (a) perceptual matching tests in which the number of response alternatives was fixed and objectively present for all Ss, and (b) a tachistoscopic recognition task in which the response alternatives had to be generated mentally. 60 boys and 53 girls in Grades 2 and 3 were shown 6 scenes tachistoscopically and response times were recorded. Several months later Ss were given 2 perceptual matching tests in which they had to select from a large array the 1 stimulus that matched a standard, and response times were recorded. Response times to descriptions of the tachistoscopic scenes were positively associated with response times on the matching tests. Moreover, long response times were positively correlated with the completeness of S's drawing of the tachistoscopically presented scenes. Individual differences in speed of decision making may be pervasive characteristic that can influence performance in a variety of test situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)