Stimulus Intensity and Experimental Design Effects on Motor Response Processing

Abstract

Experimental design effects and range effects may have influenced previous studies on motor response processing (Grice & Hunter, 1964; Grice, Nullmeyer, & Schnizlein, 1979; Poulton, 1973). This investigation was conducted concurrently with two experiments. First, Erlebacher's (1977) more powerful analysis of variance (ANOVA) model, which allows for the testing of the independent variable (stimulus intensity effect), the experimental design effect (between-subjects [BS] vs. within-subjects [WS]), and the important interaction between independent variable and experimental design was utilized to clarify if the nature of the experimental design (BS, WS) biases motor response processing. Second, Erlebacher's (1977) ANOVA model was used to determine if motor response processing was affected by stimulus intensity and experimental design when different ranges of auditory stimuli were compared. Results indicate motor response processing was inversely affected by increasing stimulus intensity. Experimental design effects and range effects did not appear to bias motor response processing. We conclude stimulus intensity effects on motor response processing appear to be the result of true neuromotor functioning and not artifacts of experimental design or of range effects.

Key Words:

• analysis of variance
• stimulus intensity
• premotor time
• range effect
• reaction time
• experimental design