Forthcoming Key Press Can be Selected While Earlier Ones Are Executed (EenToetsdruk kan Geselecteerd Worden Gedurende Uitvoering van Eerdere Toetsdrukken)

摘要

This paper addresses the issue of selecting a response while executing earlierresponse movements. Although there is the general notion that this may be possible there is no conclusive evidence on whether it can occur without interference. A direct test of whether concurrent response selection of a present and execution of previous responses develops with practice was carried out by having subjects press a number of keys, determined in advance, prior to pressing a stimulus-dependent key. Response selection demands were varied by utilizing spatially compatible and incompatible stimulus-response mappings the demands of which are known not to diminish much with practice. The results show that the longer time needed to select an incompatible response vanishes almost entirely when the stimulus-dependent response is preceded by two or four predetermined key presses. The conclusion is drawn that response selection can concur with the execution of movement sequences without interference.... Perceptual motor skills, Reaction time.