Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the number of stimulus-response (S-R) alternatives and reaction time (RT) according to Hick-Hyman Law?

Accepted Answer

RT increases logarithmically as the number of S-R alternatives increases, as described by $$CRT = a + b \log_2$(N).$$

Question 2

A sprinter is waiting for the starting gun. Which stage of information processing is most likely to be affected if the sprinter anticipates the gun and starts early?

Accepted Answer

Anticipation can allow all information-processing activities to occur in advance, potentially reducing RT to zero.

Question 3

In a Stroop test, participants are asked to name the color of the ink rather than the word itself. What psychological concept does this test primarily illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Stimulus-response compatibility

Question 4

If a skilled athlete can predict where a ball will land before it is thrown, which type of anticipation is being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

Spatial anticipation

Question 5

Which of the following is a real-world example of a population stereotype affecting reaction time?

Accepted Answer

A driver stops at a red traffic light because red is associated with 'stop' in their culture.

Question 6

According to the information processing model, which stage is NOT directly measured by reaction time but is inferred from it?

Accepted Answer

The speed of information processing in the brain is not directly measured, but RT is used as its representation.

Question 7

A novice and an expert are both given a task with low stimulus-response compatibility. After extensive practice, the expert's reaction time decreases. What change in the Hick-Hyman Law equation reflects this improvement?

Accepted Answer

The slope $$b$$ decreases.

Question 8

Which factor is most likely to lengthen reaction time in a choice reaction time experiment?

Accepted Answer

Introducing unfamiliar S-R pairings (low compatibility)

Question 9

If a task requires a decision between 8 alternatives, how many bits of information are involved according to information theory?

Accepted Answer

$$\log_2$(8) = 3$$ bits

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why anticipation can sometimes be disadvantageous in decision making?

Accepted Answer

Incorrect anticipation requires more processing activities and can result in longer delays compared to neutral responses.

Question 11

A person is asked to press a button when a light appears. If there is only one possible stimulus and one possible response, what type of reaction time is being measured?

Accepted Answer

Simple reaction time

Question 12

Which of the following would most likely decrease choice reaction time in a complex task?

Accepted Answer

Increasing practice with the specific S-R pairings

Question 13

In the context of the Hick-Hyman Law, what does the variable $$N$$ represent?

Accepted Answer

The number of stimulus-response choices

Question 14

Which scenario best illustrates temporal anticipation?

Accepted Answer

A runner predicts when the starting gun will fire.

Question 15

A skilled performer is able to organize and execute a high-quality task more efficiently. Which factor contributes most to this ability?

Accepted Answer

Extensive practice leading to better anticipation and prediction

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences reaction time according to the lecture?

Accepted Answer

Amount of sleep the night before

Question 17

In a choice reaction time experiment, what is the effect of increasing stimulus-response compatibility for a fixed number of alternatives?

Accepted Answer

Choice reaction time decreases

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the concept of a 'bit' in information theory as applied to reaction time?

Accepted Answer

A bit is the amount of information required to reduce original uncertainty by half.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about practice and reaction time is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Practice can decrease the slope $$b in $$the Hick-Hyman Law, but only after extensive repetition.

Question 20

A hockey player skates to where the puck is going to be, not where it is. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Spatial anticipation

Decision Making and Reaction Time: Information Processing in Psychology

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