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Abstract:
Increasing the intensity of visual and auditory targets increased response force in a simple reaction time (RT) task. For both, task-relevant
and irrelevant auditory stimuli this effect was
also obtained in go-no-go and choice RT tasks. The
effect was not modulated by the task. These
results bear on the discrete stage model
(Sternberg, 1969) as long as it is assumed that intensity solely influences early stages while
response force is determined in late
stages. Results are consistent with a dual route
model in which the effect of intensity is mediated
via an arousal route bypassing normal information
processing channels and connecting early stages
with late stages (e.g. Sanders, 1983). However,
results are also consistent with continuous models
(e.g. McClelland, 1979). Further tests of the dual
route model using response force are proposed.
