In a laboratory,a researcher records how long it takes a volunteer to press a button after a light is turned on.Which term refers to this type of measure?
A)mental speed.
B)the subtraction method.
C)event-related potential.
D)reaction time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reaction time refers to the amount of time it takes for someone to respond to a stimulus. In this case, the stimulus is the light turning on and the response is the volunteer pressing the button, so reaction time is the appropriate term for this type of measure. Mental speed (A) refers more generally to how quickly someone can process information, whereas the subtraction method (B) is a statistical technique used in cognitive psychology research. Event-related potential (C) refers to the electrical activity in the brain that occurs in response to a specific sensory stimulus, which is related to but distinct from reaction time.

In a Laboratory,a Researcher Records How Long It Takes a Volunteer