Reaction time adaptation: Hick’s law may bias the outcome. Free

Auditory adaptation is characterized by a decrease in apparent loudness over several minutes of time. This is true for magnitude estimated loudness adaptation measured either ipsilaterally [Weiler et al., Br. J. Audio. 15, 201–204 (1981)] or induced binaurally [Botte et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 72, 727–739 (1982)]. The extent of ipsilateral adaptation is also a function of time of day [Sandman et al., J. Aud. Res. 22, 65–69 (1982)], as well as duration of exposure [Weiler and Cobb, J. Aud. Res. 22, 233–239 (1982)]. The dB adaptation by the classic Simultaneous Dichotic Loudness Balance procedure progresses over time [Hood, Acta Oto‐Laryngol. Suppl. 92, 1–57 (1950)]. In 1976, Davis and Weiler [Br. J. Audiol. 10, 102–106] found that simple reaction time (RT) to a constant intensity, increased reliably after 7 min of exposure, as if the intensity had decreased. Goldman et al. [J. Aud. Res. 21, 13–16 (1981)] and Weiler et al. [J. Gen. Psychol. 114 (1987; errata, 1988)] confirmed this effect. However, in a modified design [T. Goldman, Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cincinnati (1985)] the reaction time increased significantly only for the second trial after 15 s of exposure. Thereafter RT values did not differ significantly from the baseline. Hick’s law is offered as an explanation, as well as differences in procedure between RT adaptation studies.