Donders’s method

a method of separating out hypothetical stages of mental processing by requiring participants to perform a set of reaction time tasks in which each successive task differs from its predecessor by the addition of a single mental stage. The time required to complete a particular stage of processing can be inferred by subtracting from the reaction time in one task the reaction time in the preceding task. For example, Task A, in which a person responds to one signal by pressing one key and to another by pressing another key, adds a response-decision stage to Task B, in which a person responds to one signal by pressing a key and makes no response to the other signal. Also called subtraction method. See also chronometric analysis; choice reaction time. [Franciscus Cornelis Donders]

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Psychology term of the day

December 27th 2024

unilateral descent

in anthropology, a system of descent or inheritance in which descent is traced through the male line only (patriarchy) or through the female line only (matriarchy). Also called unilineal descent. Compare bilateral descent. See also descent group.