A Comprehensive List of Reaction Time Tests

The duration of time needed to identify, recognise, and formulate a proper response to a visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), or kinesthetic (touch) stimuli is measured using reaction time tests. But first, let's review the three categories of reaction time: basic reaction time, complex reaction time, and detection response time.

• Simple reaction time: one stimulus and one response.
• Selective reaction time: Multiple stimuli with distinct responses are presented.
• Detection response time: a number of stimuli, one response to a single stimulus only, and no response to other stimuli.

The intensity of the stimulus, whether the stimulus needs to be recognised rather than just detected, and if there are multiple stimuli to choose from all have a significant impact on how quickly an answer is given.

Reaction time test results can vary due to the complexity of stimuli. Analyzing complex stimuli takes longer than simple ones, influencing response times. Moreover, the nature of stimuli used in the test can also impact reaction time outcomes.

The quickest response is often elicited by a kinesthetic stimulus (110–170 ms), followed by an auditory (140–160 ms), and then a visual (180–200 ms) stimulus. With these factors in mind, it is simple to understand why there aren't any universally applicable techniques for measuring response time. 

The fundamental reaction time tests and their application are described in this article. We've also written in-depth articles on how to improve your response speed as well as how it relates to athletic ability. If you're interested, feel free to read them as well.

Batak reaction time test

The Batak method makes use of a light board with 12 independent, randomly lighted lights that stay on until touched. When a light is touched, a new target light appears on the board. 

The most typical programmes last 30-60 seconds and require the patient to turn off as many lights as possible. Each touch is worth one point and is added to the overall score. 

The system contains numerous routines, including a 3-minute Batakathon, 50-target race, timed 50-target race, and 4-corner stretch, which randomly lights up 100 corners. The company now offers a Batak light version that is more user-friendly.  

The Batak technique has been evaluated in various experiments and has proven to be reliable and accurate for evaluating reaction time. 

Deary-Liewald reaction time task

The Deary-Liewald task is used to measure reaction time and general intelligence. It has two separate functions; a simple reaction time task where the participant presses a button on a computer keyboard in response to a single stimulus, as well as a four-choice reaction time task where the subject must press the key that corresponds to the correct response.

The simple reaction time task has a single white square in the center of the screen with a blue background.

The stimulus that the subject must respond to is a diagonal cross within the square. Each time the cross appears, the participant must respond to it as quickly as possible by pressing any key on the keyboard. The cross also remained on the screen until a button was pressed, and reappeared randomly 1-3s after.

The choice reaction time test is otherwise similar but involves four squares instead of just one. The keys correspond to the boxes as such: 

1. Left = z
2. Second to left = x
3. Second from right = comma
4. Right = full-stop

The participants must respond to the stimulus by pressing the corresponding key as quickly as possible. After any of the four keys are pressed, the cross disappears.

The Deary-Liewald task then calculates the reaction times and in whether the response was correct (in choice reaction time test).

Electromyography (EMG) tests

Electromyography, or EMG tests, consists of several different measurements that are performed in a laboratory setting. The tests themselves are done by inserting several surface electrodes on the skin, usually on the calf, glute, hamstring, or quadriceps muscle.

These electrodes are connected to a computer that analyzes the electrical current inside the muscle. Once a specific signal (such as a starting pistol) has occurred, the computer accurately calculates the time between the stimulus and muscle activation.

While EMG tests are extremely accurate in estimating reaction time, they are not easily accessible for the general public. 

They are often only found in universities, research laboratories, and very well-equipped training facilities.

Jensen box

The standard Jensen box is roughly 30.5cm (12in) deep and 50.8cm (20in) wide. It also has a sloping face with eight buttons arranged into a semicircle, as well as a home button in the center. Each button has an LED above it, which illuminate randomly while the built-in speaker system plays alerting sounds. 

The Jensen box is used to measure reaction time in two ways: the time between the light signal and releasing the home button, and the time it takes to press the target button. Thus, it effectively measures decision time and movement time separately. 

Once the procedure is over, the variance and standard deviation can be used to measure individual differences between subjects. 

MOART reaction time panel

The MOART panel is a reaction time measuring device that uses a Multi-Operational Apparatus for Reaction Time (MOART) system. Created by Lafayette instruments, the MOART panel consists of four buttons on each side of the panel, and two in the center. 

The panel can be used to measure simple reaction time via Go/No Go tasks and tap tests, as well as more complex choice reaction time tasks. It can even measure how long it takes to receive a stimulus and create movement. 

The system also comes with a PsymCon for digital control, and has a variety of other accessories that help create customized experiments and data reports. 

Numbers-based reaction time box

The numbers reaction box was originally designed for the UK Healthcare and Lifestyle Survey. It was used to provide data on aging, correlation with intelligence as well as association with mortality. 

The consisted of an LCD screen and five buttons, each with a number from zero to four written above it. 

The stimulus for the response is a number that appears on the LCD screen. Once the number is visible, the subjects are asked to respond by pressing the correct button as quickly as possible. This was made to measure complex reaction time. 

The numbers reaction box was also used to measure simple reaction time with only the number zero appearing on the screen. Similar to the Deary-Liewald reaction time task, the numbers box showed a new number randomly every 1-3s.

The box recorded deviation of response times as well as the number of errors in complex reaction time tests.

Conclusion

Reaction time tests are critical in testing an individual's cognitive and motor abilities, specifically their ability to respond swiftly to a variety of stimuli. 

This exhaustive list of reaction time tests exemplifies the wide range of assessments available to researchers, physicians, and athletes alike. Each test provides distinct insights into an individual's processing speed and reflexes, ranging from simple visual or auditory response time activities to complicated cognitive examinations.

Reaction time examinations can be customised to meet individual goals, whether they are assessing cognitive function, spotting potential disabilities, or improving sports performance. Additionally, the information gathered from these tests can help with decision-making in a variety of areas, including industrial safety, sports training, and medical examinations.

The use of technology has also increased the range of possible response time tests, with computer-based evaluations and virtual reality platforms offering more accurate and immersive measurements. These developments not only improve accuracy but also open up new directions for further study and useful applications.