Age differences in manual versus vocal reaction times: further evidence.
Old and young adults responded to the spatial location of a stimulus, either by moving a lever in the direction of the stimulus or by saying the word corresponding to the direction into a microphone. For subjects of both ages, vocal responses were slower than manual responses, and reaction times increased with increased alternatives (1, 2, or 4 directions). In addition, the slopes of the functions relating reaction times to alternatives were steeper for vocal responses, a finding that is contrary to the report of smaller age differences in reaction time for vocal responses. The slopes of the vocal functions were similar, however, a finding suggesting that age differences in central processing rates are less for vocal than manual responses.
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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Baron
J W
JW
Journey
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D014831:Voice