Citation

Burtt HE. J. Exp. Psychol. 1916; 1(2): 155-182.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1916, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0071640

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Examined the effects of uniform and non-uniform illumination upon attention and reaction times. Two sets of experiments were conducted in the street and in the laboratory. The first set of experiments were conducted in 2 sections of an avenue. In one section, series of circuits fed lamps were mounted at the curb with an alternative system of centrally hung lamps. In the other section, lamps were suspended from span wires and could be moved to any position. The experiments in the laboratory were performed in an interior room with black walls, indirectly illuminated by light reflected from the white ceiling, on 10 Ss. Results show that the auditory choice reaction time was quicker, the attention more alert and the efficiency in motor coordination greater under a non-uniform illumination than under a uniform one. Concludes that non-uniform illumination was more conducive than uniform, to safety on the street. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)