engleski

ROLE OF COMPLEX REACTION TIME VARIABILITY AS A PREDICTOR OF COGNITIVE ABILITY

Introduction. Cognitive processes could be explored by measuring the speed and accuracy of performance. Complex reaction time tasks could produce greater intraindividual variability than the simple reaction time tasks and the results are better correlated with the general mental ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the scores on the tests of general mental ability and the complex reaction times using the computerized psychodiagnostic system CRD (repeated measures of reaction time performance) and also to study the predictor value of reaction time variability. Methods. Data from 137 participants were used in the present analyses: a) medical students (N=43), b) basketball players (N=21), and c) managers (N=73). The CRD tests CRD-11 (reaction time of arithmetic operation) and CRD-411 (reaction time of leg and arm coordination) were applied in all three groups, whereas CRD-13 (reaction time of spatial visualization) test was applied in basketball players and medical students groups. All CRD tests consisted of 35 tasks which were applied in the same order to all participants. The following performances on CRD tests were analyzed: reaction time of each task (Ti), total time of the test (TT), minimum reaction time (TMIN), and standard deviation of reaction time (sdRT) as a measure of intraindividual variability. General mental ability of managers was tested using the standardized tests D-48 and DAT, whereas the basketball players and the medical students were tested using APM (Advanced Progressive Matrices). Results. There was a significant negative correlation among the CRD test result and the results on the standardized tests of general mental ability. Total reaction time on the CRD-11 test was significantly correlated (p<0.05) with D-48 (r=-0.73), DAT (r=-0.63), and APM (r=-0.40). The results on the CRD-13 test of the basketball players and the medical students were correlated with APM (r=-0.24, p=0.08). Finally, reaction time on the test with leg and arm coordination (CRD-411) significantly correlated (p<0.05) with D-48 (r=-0.71), DAT (r=-0.48), and APM (r=-0.29). The principal components analysis and varimax rotation of performance indicator of CRD tests produced two basic factors: speed (Fs) and variability of reaction time (Fv). Variability of reaction time (Fv) was significantly correlated with the results on APM test (r=-0.26, p<0.05) whereas the speed (Fs) of information processing indicated lower association (r=-0.22, p=0.10). Both Fs and Fv were correlated (positively) with the total time of CRD tests. Fs was significantly correlated with TT-CRD11 (r=0.63, p<0.00), TT-CRD13 (r=0.26, p<0.01), and TT-CRD411 (r=0.43, p<0.00). The same analysis for Fv showed it was significantly correlated with TT-CRD11 (r=0.55, p=0.00), TT-CRD13 (r=0.71, p<0.00), and TT-CRD411 (r=0.59, p<0.00). Conclusion. The results of this study showed that the complex reaction times obtained using the tests of the CRD system significantly (negatively) correlated with the general mental ability. Factor analysis suggested that the speed and variability of reaction time may involve different neurophysiological processes. Complex reaction time measurements and the standard deviation of reaction times analysis may provide an indirect measure of brain function and efficiency.

complex reaction time; cognitive processes; psychodiagnostic system

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