Keeping Track of Sequential Events: Effects of Stimulus On-Time and Interstimulus Off-Time

Abstract

Ss were required to keep track of the number of occurrences of each of four different letters (categories) presented sequentially as a function of the total number of letters presented (trial length), the rate of presentation, and the two components which, when combined, constitute the rate, namely, stimulus on-time and the interstimulus interval or off-time. In general, performance varied inversely with trial length and rate of presentation. Of greater importance, however, was the complex interaction between the rate of presentation and the components of that rate. At the fastest rate, performance was relatively invariant as a function of these components; at intermediate rates the shortest on-time led to the best performance, while at the slowest rate the shortest on-time led to the poorest performance. The observed results are explained primarily in terms of the time available for rehearsal.