Psychologists have shown interest in reaction times (RT) as a metric for cognitive processing variances for more than a century. Starting in the 19th century, Francis Galton, a prominent statistician and eugenicist, amassed a substantial data set (n=3410) of simple reaction times. His objective was to investigate individual disparities in processing speed as possible indicators of intelligence.
The inquiry into whether individuals today are quicker or slower than Galton’s subjects remains compelling. If Galton’s hypothesis is accurate, analyzing reaction times across different generations may yield insights into the evolution of cognitive abilities.
Remarkably, reaction time data presents a counterpoint to the Flynn Effect, the documented rise in IQ scores through generations. Traditionally, some have posited that modern generations are less intelligent, but the Flynn Effect defies this assertion. Reaction time research adds an intriguing layer to this discussion.
Multiple studies have juxtaposed Galton’s findings with contemporary data. In a study referenced by Silverman (2010), it was observed that, with few exceptions, modern reaction times were slower than those noted by Galton, disputing the common belief that each successive generation becomes cognitively more adept.
A graph by Woodley et al. (2015) reveals that reaction times have decreased by approximately 20 milliseconds over a span of 100 years, indicating that modern participants are about 10% slower. While this signifies a minor temporal shift, it represents a significant difference in reaction time research.
Approaching these results necessitates careful interpretation. Do they signify a decrease in cognitive ability, heightened cognitive burden, changes in motivation, or variations in experimental conditions? Much remains to be uncovered regarding the implications of this data for comprehending cognitive development and generational transformations.
**References:**
– Irwin, W. S. (2010). Simple reaction time: it is not what it used to be. *American Journal of Psychology*, *123*(1), 39-50.
– Woodley, M. A., Te Nijenhuis, J., & Murphy, R. (2013). Were the Victorians cleverer than us? The decline in general intelligence estimated from a meta-analysis of the slowing of simple reaction time. *Intelligence*, *41*(6), 843-850.
– Woodley, M. A, te Nijenhuis, J., & Murphy, R. (2015). The Victorians were still faster than us. Commentary: Factors influencing the latency of simple reaction time. *Frontiers in human neuroscience*, *9*, 452.