Citation

McComas HC. J. Exp. Psychol. 1922; 5(1): 1-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1922, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0069932

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The experiment consisted of a cardboard screen with a small ground glass window in the center behind which were four electric lamps of different colors. When one of these colored lights appeared at the window the S was expected to react upon the key to extinguish the light. This action also served to present another colored light to which the S again responded with the appropriate reaction. This form of continuous reaction was maintained for periods of ten mins. The task demanded a high degree of concentration, but its nature prevented indifference or loss of interest. The scores of right and wrong reactions, with due allowance made for chance reactions, were used as measures of attention. 11 Ss took part in the experiment conducted during the second semesters of two college years.Even for a small group of 11 Ss, the scores showed marked differences in speed and accuracy of reaction, and in the temporal variations in these factors. Although the results led to no conclusive generalization regarding the nature of attention, they implied the applicability of this type of experiment to the detection of attentional fluctuations.The times for continuous discrimination reactions were longer than discrimination reactions in which intervals for recovery and preparation were introduced. Periodic variations in scores, which at first were thought to be indicative of diurnal variations, were effects of specific tasks, such as, close application to memory work or long periods of class work just before the experimental session. The Ss' introspections gave no reliable indication of the objective εfficiency' in performing the task. Often when a S thought he was making his best performance, he was in reality doing poorly, and vice versa. From Psych Bulletin 19:09:00595. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)