Citation

Philip BR. J. Exp. Psychol. 1936; 19(1): 24-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1936, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0055937

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Speed and accuracy in three motor tasks of increasing complexity all involving continuous tapping were studied by means of a self-registering apparatus. Analysis of the data shows that the relationship between speed and accuracy in these tasks conforms to the phi-gamma hypothesis. The curve of best fit is an integration of the normal probability curve. Constants are given for 66 curves obtained in the experiment. The closeness of fit of observed values to the theoretical ones was check by Pearson's x2 method, and by his criterion √2 x2 - √2n - 1 < 2. Practice and fatigue effects were estimated. A preliminary analysis of the component factors of the tasks used in the study is given, and a comparison is made of the absolute speeds of the tasks. The correlation between accuracy and errors is curvilinear, and there is an inverse relationship between them. It is shown that the complexity of the task determines the form of the curve; the simpler the task, the greater the coefficient of precision. A precise measure of speed, when accuracy varies, is suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)