The effects of strength of competing responses during conflict

The effects of strength of competing responses during conflict shock coincided with the onset of the yellow light. The shock was terminated when the Ss pressed the appropriate microswitch. A total of 68 trials was administered to each S. Trials 1-32 were training trials and consisted of the presentation of a single ready signal, either S+ or S-, and, after an interval of 4 sec, the olliet of the yellow DONALDR. YFLHN, Washburn Unil'ersit)" trials. In order to vary the absolute speed of ligh t. The S+ and S- ready signals were each Topeka, Kans. 66621 the competing responses, the length of the presented, in a random order, on 16 of these fore period used during training trials was trials. Shock was administered on the Sixty-four Ss were given training and test changed during the test trials. It was training triats whenever the S+ ready signal trials on a lIIodi/ied RT task to determine expected that these changes in the length of was presented. Trials 33-68 involved an the effects of the relative and absolute the foreperiod would decrease the absolute alternating sequence of training trials and strengths of competing respollSes on the speed of the competing responses. either conflict (C) or nonconflict (NC) test speed of the response that occurs in a APPARATUS trials. The S+ and S- ready signals were each conflict situatioll. The results indicated that A stimulus display panel, containing a presented on 12 training trials during this the response occurring in the conflict 7.5-W white light, a doorbell buzzer, and a sequence. The order of presentation of the situation was significantly (p <.01 j faster 40-W yellow light, was mounted vertically four C and eight NC test trials was varied thall either of the competing responses in on a desk. The white light, used as one of the from S to S. The C test trials involved the lion conflict situations, and also suggested ready signals, was attached to the upper left simultaneous presentation of both ready that the speed of the response in tlte conflict corner, the buzzer, used as the second ready signals, S+ and S-, and, after an interval of situation ill creases as an exponential signal, was mounted on the upper right 1,2,3, or 4 sec, the onset of the yellow light. jilllction of tlte absolute strengths of the corner, and the yellow light, which served as The NC test trials involved the presentation cOll1pe ting responses. the stimulus to respond, was fixed to the of a single ready signal, either S+ or S-, and, lower center portion of the panel. An ac after an interval of 1,2,3, or 4 sec, the onset Brown & Farber (1951), as well as Miller shock source was used to deliver a shock to of the yellow light. Shock was not (1959), have indicated that one of the the forearms of the Ss' preferred hands. The administered on any of the C or NC test effects of conflict is an increment in drive. If same intensity of shock, judged by E to be trials. The microswitch that was pressed and conflict does contribute to drive, then the uncomfortable, was used for all Ss. Silent the time required to press that switch were intensity, or speed, of the response Hunter timers were used to control the onset both recorded. These times were later occurring in the conflict situation should be of the lights, buzzer, and shock. converted to response speeds (one/time). increased (Brown, 1961). The results of A horizontal response keyboard containSUBJECTS several investigations (Castaneda & Worell, ing a plastic disk and two microswitches was A total of 64 male introductory 1961; Finger, 194 I) have supported this attached to the writing surface of a student psychology students served as Ss. Each S proposal. Brown & Farber (195 I) have also chair. The disk was attached to the edge of received the 12 test trials that resulted from indicated that the degree of conflict varies as the keyboard that was nearest to the S. The the combination of the three test condia function of both the relative and absolute microswitches were placed 6 in. apart in the tions: C, NC with S+, and NC withS-, with strengths of the competing responses. That upper left and upper right corners of the the four foreperiod lengths: I, 2, 3, and is, conflict is expected to increase when the keyboard. and 12 in. away from the disk. 4 sec. difference between the strengths of the Standard electric docks were used to RESULTS AND DISCUSSION competing responses is reduced and! or when measure the latencies of the Ss' responses. A Test Conditions by Length of the strengths of both competing responses PROCEDURE Forepcriod by Ss analysis of variance are increased. It would be expected, then, The Ss were seated facing the stimulus (Lindquist, \953) of the response speeds that variation of the relative and absolute display panel and instructed to place the during the test trials was performed. This strengths of the competing responses would index fingers of their nonpreferred hands on analysis indicated that the Test Conditions be related to the intensity of the response the plastic disk when either the white light "by Length of Foreperiod interaction that occurs in the conflict situation. This or the buzzer was presented alone, or when (presented in Fig. I) was Significant relationship, however. has received little the white light and buzzer were presented (F=5.82, df=6/378, p<.OOI). Subseexperimental attention. together. When the yellow light was turned quent analysis of the simpfe effects of this The present study was designed to vary on, Ss pressed, using the index fingers of interaction indicated that the differences the relative and absolute strengths of two their non preferred hands, one of the between the NC with S+ and the NC with Scompeting responses and then to determine microswitches. The left switch was pressed if conditions at each of the foreperiods were the effects of this variation on the speed of only the white light was on, and the right not reliable. Association with shock during the response that occurred when both switch was pressed if only the buzzer had training trials, then, did not facilitate the responses were Simultaneously aroused. sounded. The Ss were instructed that they performance of a response during test trials. Conflict and nonconflict test trials on a RT were free to press either switch if both the It is possible that the omission of shock task. modified by using two ready signals, white light and the buzzer had been during the test trials eliminated a relevant two response keys. and one stimulus to presented. cue, and that the elimination of this cue respond, were used for this purpose. In order After the instructions were given, the counteracted the facilitating effects to vary the relative speed of the competing electrodes for the shock were attached to expected from the association with shock. responses, the response to one of the ready the forearms of the Ss' preferred hands. The The analysis of the simple effects also signals was associated with shock during shock (...truncated)