Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1975, 41, 720-722. @ Perceptual and Motor Skills 1975
IS T H E REACTION TIME-MOVEMENT TIME RELATIONSHIP 'ESSENTIALLY ZERO'?' FRANK M . POWELL
RICHARD A. MAGILL
Furmrn Unive7sity8
Texar A&M U n i v e r ~ i j y
Summmy.-It was hypothesized that, if RT-MT correlations are "essentially zero," then the magnitude of that correlation should not be subject to variation due to the manipulation of various experimental variables. In this experiment, Ss were tested with either RT-MT together or done separately. Results indicated significant relationships for 18 males but not for 18 females. The "essentially zero" position was discussed as being procedurally specific.
It has been stated that the fundamental, intrinsic relationship between reaction time (RT) and movement time ( M T ) is "essentially zero" (Henry, 1960). Since the time of that statement, the position adhering to that viewpoint has been a common one in motor learning. Support has been provided by studies such as those reported by Henry (1961a, 1961b), Henry and Rogers ( 1960), Henry and Whitley ( 196O), Lotter ( 1960), Norrie (1974), and others. However, several researchers have reported RT-MT correlations that do not fit into the "essentially zero" classification (e.g., Hodgkins, 1963; Kerr, 1966; Pierson, 1961; Pierson & Rasch, 1960). These studies have each reported RT-MT correlations that are significantly different from zero (ranging from .33 to 3 2 4 ) . The apparent discrepancy of findings appears to be related to several factors that seemingly affect the magnitude of the correlation rather consistently. Some of these factors are set, practice, age, and method of movement termination (Henry, 1960; Pierson, 1961). It seems logical that, if theoretical RT-MT correlation is "essentially zero," the magnitude of that correlation should not be subject to variation due to the manipulation of a wide range of experimental variables. A few spurious nonzero results could be expected but these should not be related to specific variables with any degree of consistency. The present study was designed to consider variables other than those cited as a means to determine if the resultant correlations remain consistent with the "essentially zero" position.
M~THOD Ss were 18 males and 18 females, undergraduate majors and minors in Physical Education at Florida State University. The ages ranged from 19 to 24 yr. The stimulus warning light, stimulus light, random presentation of the 'The authors Shadwell for 'Deparunent 'Department
would like to thank Dr. Robert N. Singer for his critical advice and Percy F. his technical assistance with the testing equipment. of Healrh and Physical Education. of Physical Education.
REACTION TIME-MOVEMENT TIME RELATIONSHIP
72 1
stimulus light following the onset of the warning light, intertrial interval, total experimental time, number of stimulus presentations, and number of subject responses were concrolled and recorded by a BRS Foringer DigiLab (DLC002). For the determination of R T and M T latencies, two cadmium sulfide photo-conductive cells were used. The distance between these photocells was 30 in., with the M T cell on a plane 30' below the R T cell. The moving hand had to pass over the MT cell before a M T latency was recorded. Ss' visual display consisted of three GE 1819 filament bulbs. The red bulb denoted time out, the blue bulb served as the stimulus warning light and the white bulb was the R T and MT stimulus light. There were two conditions of treatment: RT-MT together (RTt-MTt) and RT-MT separate (RT,-MT,). Ss were tested under the two conditions at the same hour either on Days 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 of the experimental period. Order of treatment was counterbalanced prior to the experiment so that half of the Ss were tested under the together-condition the first testing day while the other half were tested under the separate-condition on the first testing day. Each S received 30 trials in the RTt-MTt condition and 30 trials simple RT, 30 trials simple MT in the RT,-MT, condition. Trials lasted 15 sec. with a 70-sec. rest period between blocks of 15 trials. For the RTt-MTt and RT, conditions, the blue stimulus-warning light preceded the white stimulus light by 1- to 4-sec. intervals, randomly determined. In the RTt-MTt condition, each S was instructed to move his hand laterally from the white circle and continue the movement by extending and moving his arm to the right over the MT cell as quickly as possible when the white light appeared. For the RT. condition, each S was instructed to move his finger or hand laterally as quickly as possible when the white light appeared. For the MT, condition, each S was in the same starting position as for the RT, condition, however, he was instructed to move at his own discretion when the white light appeared. A 5-sec. maximum was set for the initiation of this movement. The blue warning light was not operative during this condition. RESULTSAND DISCUSSION For each S, 20 trials, the last 10 trials for each block of 15 trials were recorded for each of the experimental conditions of RTt, RT,, MTt and MT, and were used for data analysis. Of primary interest in this study was the relationship between R T and MT for each of the together and separate conditions. The rs of interest were RTt-MTt and RT,-MT, for male and females Ss. These correlations were .482 and ,544 for males and ,379 and .341 for females for the together and separate conditions respectively. The correlations for males are significantly different from zero ( p < .05 ), while they are not significantly different from zero for females. The results of the RT-MT correlations for both the together and separate
'
R. A. MAGILL & F. M. POWELL
722
conditions indicate that there may be some questions raised concerning the position that the correlation between R T and M T is "essentially zero." If this were true, then it would be expected that the correlations obtained in the present study for the together and separate RT-MT conditions, and for both males and females, would not have been significantly different from zero. However, the results were not consistent with this expectation. The rs for males were significantly different from zero while the rs for females were not, for both experimental conditions. These results should only be considered in light of those studies referred to earlier in this article. It seems evident that a researcher may obtain either a significant RT-MT correlation or an "essentially zero" correlation by simply manipulating certain variables in his experiment. In the studies considered here, these variables, which will generally affect the RT-MT correlation, are: practice, set, age, sex, and movement termination. When so many variables may be experimentally manipulated to yield such a wide range of results, care must be taken when expressing generalizations concerning the RT-MT relationship. The use of RT-MT correlations as support for a theoretical position must be considered in light of all of the experiments being reported here. It appears that a researcher may almost pre-determine a RT-MT correlation significantly or non-significantly different from zero, depending on the need of the situation. The RT-MT relationship may be "essentially zero" for many situations, but obviously, not for every situation. REFERENCES HKNRY, F. M. Influence of motor and sensory sets on reaction and speed of discrete movements. Research Quarterly, 1960,31, 459-468. HENRY,F. M. Reaction time-movement time correlations. Percep~ualand Motor SkiEls, 1961,12,63-66. ( a ) HENRY,F. M. Stimulus complexity, movement complexity, age, and sex in relation to reaction latenq and speed in limb movements. Research Quar8erly, 1961, 32, 353-366. ( b ) HENRY,F. M., & ROGERS, D. E. Increased response latency for complicated movements and 'memory drum' theory of neuro-motor reaction. Research Q w t t ~ l y ,1960,
31, 448-458.
HENRY,F. M., & WHITLEY, J. D. Relationships between individual differences in strength, speed, and mass in an arm movement. Research Quarterly, 1960, 31,
24-33.
HODGKXNS; J .
Reaction time and speed of movement in males and females of various age. Research Quarterly, 1963, 34, 335-344. KERR,B. A. Relationships between speed of reaction and movement in a knee extension movement. Research Quarterly, 1966,37, 147-155. L O ~ E R ,W. S. Interrelationships among reaction times and speeds of movement in different limbs. Research Ouarterlv. 1960. 31. 156-162. NORRIE,M. L. Effects of movement cornpiexicy on choice reaction and movement times. Research Quarterly, 1974, 45, 154-161. PIERSON, W. R. Comment on investigations of RT/MT relationships. Research Quarterly, 1961,32, 266-267. PIERSON, W. R., & RASCH,P. J. Generality of a speed factor in simple reaction and movement time. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1960, 11, 123-128.
Accepted August 26, 1975.
IS T H E REACTION TIME-MOVEMENT TIME RELATIONSHIP 'ESSENTIALLY ZERO'?' FRANK M . POWELL
RICHARD A. MAGILL
Furmrn Unive7sity8
Texar A&M U n i v e r ~ i j y
Summmy.-It was hypothesized that, if RT-MT correlations are "essentially zero," then the magnitude of that correlation should not be subject to variation due to the manipulation of various experimental variables. In this experiment, Ss were tested with either RT-MT together or done separately. Results indicated significant relationships for 18 males but not for 18 females. The "essentially zero" position was discussed as being procedurally specific.
It has been stated that the fundamental, intrinsic relationship between reaction time (RT) and movement time ( M T ) is "essentially zero" (Henry, 1960). Since the time of that statement, the position adhering to that viewpoint has been a common one in motor learning. Support has been provided by studies such as those reported by Henry (1961a, 1961b), Henry and Rogers ( 1960), Henry and Whitley ( 196O), Lotter ( 1960), Norrie (1974), and others. However, several researchers have reported RT-MT correlations that do not fit into the "essentially zero" classification (e.g., Hodgkins, 1963; Kerr, 1966; Pierson, 1961; Pierson & Rasch, 1960). These studies have each reported RT-MT correlations that are significantly different from zero (ranging from .33 to 3 2 4 ) . The apparent discrepancy of findings appears to be related to several factors that seemingly affect the magnitude of the correlation rather consistently. Some of these factors are set, practice, age, and method of movement termination (Henry, 1960; Pierson, 1961). It seems logical that, if theoretical RT-MT correlation is "essentially zero," the magnitude of that correlation should not be subject to variation due to the manipulation of a wide range of experimental variables. A few spurious nonzero results could be expected but these should not be related to specific variables with any degree of consistency. The present study was designed to consider variables other than those cited as a means to determine if the resultant correlations remain consistent with the "essentially zero" position.
M~THOD Ss were 18 males and 18 females, undergraduate majors and minors in Physical Education at Florida State University. The ages ranged from 19 to 24 yr. The stimulus warning light, stimulus light, random presentation of the 'The authors Shadwell for 'Deparunent 'Department
would like to thank Dr. Robert N. Singer for his critical advice and Percy F. his technical assistance with the testing equipment. of Healrh and Physical Education. of Physical Education.
REACTION TIME-MOVEMENT TIME RELATIONSHIP
72 1
stimulus light following the onset of the warning light, intertrial interval, total experimental time, number of stimulus presentations, and number of subject responses were concrolled and recorded by a BRS Foringer DigiLab (DLC002). For the determination of R T and M T latencies, two cadmium sulfide photo-conductive cells were used. The distance between these photocells was 30 in., with the M T cell on a plane 30' below the R T cell. The moving hand had to pass over the MT cell before a M T latency was recorded. Ss' visual display consisted of three GE 1819 filament bulbs. The red bulb denoted time out, the blue bulb served as the stimulus warning light and the white bulb was the R T and MT stimulus light. There were two conditions of treatment: RT-MT together (RTt-MTt) and RT-MT separate (RT,-MT,). Ss were tested under the two conditions at the same hour either on Days 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 of the experimental period. Order of treatment was counterbalanced prior to the experiment so that half of the Ss were tested under the together-condition the first testing day while the other half were tested under the separate-condition on the first testing day. Each S received 30 trials in the RTt-MTt condition and 30 trials simple RT, 30 trials simple MT in the RT,-MT, condition. Trials lasted 15 sec. with a 70-sec. rest period between blocks of 15 trials. For the RTt-MTt and RT, conditions, the blue stimulus-warning light preceded the white stimulus light by 1- to 4-sec. intervals, randomly determined. In the RTt-MTt condition, each S was instructed to move his hand laterally from the white circle and continue the movement by extending and moving his arm to the right over the MT cell as quickly as possible when the white light appeared. For the RT. condition, each S was instructed to move his finger or hand laterally as quickly as possible when the white light appeared. For the MT, condition, each S was in the same starting position as for the RT, condition, however, he was instructed to move at his own discretion when the white light appeared. A 5-sec. maximum was set for the initiation of this movement. The blue warning light was not operative during this condition. RESULTSAND DISCUSSION For each S, 20 trials, the last 10 trials for each block of 15 trials were recorded for each of the experimental conditions of RTt, RT,, MTt and MT, and were used for data analysis. Of primary interest in this study was the relationship between R T and MT for each of the together and separate conditions. The rs of interest were RTt-MTt and RT,-MT, for male and females Ss. These correlations were .482 and ,544 for males and ,379 and .341 for females for the together and separate conditions respectively. The correlations for males are significantly different from zero ( p < .05 ), while they are not significantly different from zero for females. The results of the RT-MT correlations for both the together and separate
'
R. A. MAGILL & F. M. POWELL
722
conditions indicate that there may be some questions raised concerning the position that the correlation between R T and M T is "essentially zero." If this were true, then it would be expected that the correlations obtained in the present study for the together and separate RT-MT conditions, and for both males and females, would not have been significantly different from zero. However, the results were not consistent with this expectation. The rs for males were significantly different from zero while the rs for females were not, for both experimental conditions. These results should only be considered in light of those studies referred to earlier in this article. It seems evident that a researcher may obtain either a significant RT-MT correlation or an "essentially zero" correlation by simply manipulating certain variables in his experiment. In the studies considered here, these variables, which will generally affect the RT-MT correlation, are: practice, set, age, sex, and movement termination. When so many variables may be experimentally manipulated to yield such a wide range of results, care must be taken when expressing generalizations concerning the RT-MT relationship. The use of RT-MT correlations as support for a theoretical position must be considered in light of all of the experiments being reported here. It appears that a researcher may almost pre-determine a RT-MT correlation significantly or non-significantly different from zero, depending on the need of the situation. The RT-MT relationship may be "essentially zero" for many situations, but obviously, not for every situation. REFERENCES HKNRY, F. M. Influence of motor and sensory sets on reaction and speed of discrete movements. Research Quarterly, 1960,31, 459-468. HENRY,F. M. Reaction time-movement time correlations. Percep~ualand Motor SkiEls, 1961,12,63-66. ( a ) HENRY,F. M. Stimulus complexity, movement complexity, age, and sex in relation to reaction latenq and speed in limb movements. Research Quar8erly, 1961, 32, 353-366. ( b ) HENRY,F. M., & ROGERS, D. E. Increased response latency for complicated movements and 'memory drum' theory of neuro-motor reaction. Research Q w t t ~ l y ,1960,
31, 448-458.
HENRY,F. M., & WHITLEY, J. D. Relationships between individual differences in strength, speed, and mass in an arm movement. Research Quarterly, 1960, 31,
24-33.
HODGKXNS; J .
Reaction time and speed of movement in males and females of various age. Research Quarterly, 1963, 34, 335-344. KERR,B. A. Relationships between speed of reaction and movement in a knee extension movement. Research Quarterly, 1966,37, 147-155. L O ~ E R ,W. S. Interrelationships among reaction times and speeds of movement in different limbs. Research Ouarterlv. 1960. 31. 156-162. NORRIE,M. L. Effects of movement cornpiexicy on choice reaction and movement times. Research Quarterly, 1974, 45, 154-161. PIERSON, W. R. Comment on investigations of RT/MT relationships. Research Quarterly, 1961,32, 266-267. PIERSON, W. R., & RASCH,P. J. Generality of a speed factor in simple reaction and movement time. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1960, 11, 123-128.
Accepted August 26, 1975.
