Reduced response readiness delays stop signal inhibition.

Examined the effect of response readiness on the stopping of motor responses. 13 subjects (Ss; undergraduates) performed a primary task requiring a speeded choice reaction on go trials and response inhibition on no go trials. An occasional cue informed Ss that a no-go trial was imminent but left them uncertain about the number of go trials separating the cue and the upcoming no-go trial. This setup was meant to create test episodes of reduced response readiness (i.e., trial sequences initiated by the cue and terminated by the no-go signal) and control episodes, in which Ss were ready to execute a speeded choice reaction (i.e., trial sequences consisting only of go trials). During both episodes, a visual stop signal could occasionally and unpredictably follow go signal onset, instructing Ss to withhold their response to the go signal. Choice reactions on go trials were delayed during test episodes relative to control episodes. Most importantly, stop reactions were delayed, not facilitated, during test episodes compared to control episodes. Findings were taken to suggest that reduced readiness gives rise to more forceful responses that are then more difficult to inhibit. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved