Reaction time measurement of temporal integration and organization of form

Rohrbaugh, John; Eriksen, Charles W. · 1975 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3758/bf03203997

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Summary

This study investigates the temporal integration of patterned visual stimuli, specifically examining how the visual system combines successive images to form a coherent percept. Previous research by Eriksen and Collins demonstrated that accuracy in identifying composite forms decreases as the interstimulus interval (ISI) between two brief stimuli increases, suggesting a decay in the sensory trace of the first stimulus. This paper adapts that paradigm to use choice reaction time (RT) rather than accuracy as the dependent variable, aiming to determine if RT is a sensitive measure of temporal integration and to estimate the duration of the visual trace required for such integration. The researchers conducted three experiments using a tachistoscope to present two identical grids of illuminated squares. These grids were spatially displaced such that, when superimposed, they formed either horizontal or vertical stripes, though each grid alone appeared as a random array. In Experiment 1, two subjects performed a two-alternative forced-choice task, indicating stripe orientation via a lever. The study varied exposure durations (2, 16, or 30 msec) and ISIs ranging from concurrent presentation to 1,792 msec. Experiment 2 served as a control, employing an irregular order of ISI presentation and including "catch trials" with checkerboard patterns to minimize preparatory effects. Experiment 3 further controlled for warning signals by presenting stimuli concurrently while varying the interval between an extraneous warning signal and the stimulus onset. The results from Experiment 1 revealed that RTs were fastest at concurrent presentation and short ISIs, increasing progressively as the ISI lengthened. This increase continued until an asymptote was reached at ISIs exceeding 224 msec for one subject and 448 msec for the other, indicating that visual integration was no longer occurring. Statistical analysis confirmed significant main effects for ISI and subject interactions. Experiment 2 replicated these findings despite stricter error-control instructions and irregular ISI ordering, confirming that the RT functions were not artifacts of predictable stimulus timing. Experiment 3 demonstrated that extraneous warning signals had negligible effects on RT, ruling out preparatory factors as the cause of the observed ISI functions. The findings conclude that choice RT is a valid and sensitive measure of temporal integration for patterned stimuli. The data suggest that the visual system integrates successive patterns into a composite percept over an ISI range extending beyond 224 msec, which is longer than estimates derived from accuracy-based studies. The gradual increase in RT at longer ISIs is attributed to the decay of the sensory trace from the first stimulus, forcing subjects to rely on slower, nonvisual operations such as memory retrieval. This study provides evidence for the existence of "discontinuity detectors" that maintain temporal discreteness and offers a refined estimate of the lifespan of the visual trace involved in form organization.

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• time perception

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• Empirical Findings: behavioral performance data