To explore possible age differences, the first experiment assessed speed and maintenance of alertness in 5-year-olds, 8-year-olds, and adults. The second study tested the hypothesis that developmental variation in processing speed observed in some studies was attributable in part to age differences in alerting processes. (MP)

When two nonoperative lights were added to each of the ends of a stimulus display in a four choice reaction time (RT) task, the RTs of mentally retarded and nonretarded young adults Ss were slowed to about the same extent. (Author)

Equation problems elicited a strategy in which the subject attempted to isolate the X variables on one side of the equation, whereas word problems elicited a strategy in which the subject attempted to reduce the expression. These results suggest that problem format influences the type of strategy used to solve algebra problems. (Author/PN)

Eighteen college students solved addition problems using the Hutchings Low Fatigue Addition Algorithm, which requires a written record of running sums, and the standard algorithm, which does not. Students using the Hutchings algorithm had significantly higher reaction times to a tone, indicating that the Hutchings method requires less cognitive…

Two experiments were conducted to test the possibility that children are slower than adults because they are less able than adults to process the information available about subsequent events in parallel with an ongoing response. Subjects were second, third, and sixth graders and college students. (MP)

Results of three experiments indicated that latency of correct recognition was sensitive to the influence of a priming treatment. The magnitude of the priming effect depended on both the taxonomic frequency of the probe items, and the length of the interval between the prime and the recognition test. (Author/RD)

Investigates the structural differences in the representation of balance and imbalance information by using a technique originated by Sternberg (1966). Subjects were 38 college students. (MP)

Used computer-administered tests to measure the reaction time to nonverbal stimuli of 4- through 6-year-olds and adults. Found age-related increases in processing speed that could not be attributed to increased accuracy and error rate monitoring. Used these results to evaluate R. Kail's (1991) model of processing speed, which adequately accounted…

The relationship between psychometric intelligence and 2 selective reaction time (RT) tasks was determined for 81 university students (27 males and 54 females). Results generally support the paradigm of W. E. Hick (1952). Some surprising findings are discussed with respect to the specific demands of selective RT tasks. (SLD)

The technique for examining the time course of information processing developed by D. E. Meyer et. al. (1988) is analyzed. Research is provided, which suggests that this new method gives important qualitative support to some stochastic models and quantitative support to the continuous diffusion model of information processing. (SLD)

Event-related potentials (ERPs) and reaction time (RT) were recorded concurrently during performance of 6 simple cognitive tasks by 30 right-handed women who varied in mental ability. Results suggest that ERPs and RT may assess stimulus evaluation time and the response-production time components of cognitive information processing. (Author/SLD)

Presents two experiments involving 16 and 14 college students that were designed to enhance the sensitivity of reaction time as an information-processing correlate of general ability. Data from both are interpreted in terms of mental efficiency theories of intelligence. (SLD)

Examined developmental change and stability of visual expectation and reaction times among 5-, 7-, and 12-month-old term and preterm infants. Found that reaction times declined with age while anticipations increased. Infants with faster reaction times were more likely to anticipate upcoming events; this effect disappeared when time between stimuli…

In Experiment 1, adults (n = 48) performed simple addition, multiplication, and parity (i.e., odd-even) comparisons on pairs of Arabic digits or English number words. For addition and comparison, but not multiplication, response time increased with the number of odd operands. For addition, but not comparison, this parity effect was greater for…