The influence of prepared response features on decision making processes using a free choice paradigm

The influence of precue presentation on various facets of response selection has received significant research interest. Reaction time and movement time have been the focus of a number of studies, and are used as indicators of response selection processes. A novel free choice paradigm has been developed to better examine the influence of prepared actions on response selection. In the current experiment an extension of our free choice paradigm was carried out to further establish the influence of congruent features of a precue in a reaction time task. Participants were required to make button-press responses using index and middle finger flexion and extension movements. Precue and stimulus presentation patterns meant participants were placed into both free and forced choice conditions. In forced choice conditions, participants were required to produce a response matching that of the precue. In free choice conditions participants selected from two responses containing features that matched elements of the precue but using the opposing limb. For example, precue presentation could indicate a left index finger (effector) flexion (action) response, followed by a stimulus requiring either a right middle finger flexion or extension response. Of primary interest were the response selection patterns of participants when placed under free choice conditions. Data revealed significantly faster reaction times under forced choice conditions, indicating subjects were planning the prepared response on all trials. Under free choice conditions response options that contained effector features matching the precue were selected more often than responses containing action features. As indicated by previous examinations of the free choice paradigm, whilst a combination of congruent motoric features of an unprepared response produced highest selection rates, the influence of prepared effector features appear stronger than those of a prepared action