Can I run the Choice Reaction Time Task online?
Yes. ConductCognition runs the Choice Reaction Time Task in a browser-based participant flow with study setup, automated scoring, and export-ready results.
Attention
Choice Reaction Time Task
Capture decision speed and response selection cost with a simple two-choice attention paradigm.
Useful for attention studies, concussion batteries, and remote protocols that need a low-friction decision-speed task.
Attention3-4 minBrowser-based testing workflow
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What this task measures
Measures attention and decision speed by requiring participants to select the correct response based on which stimulus appears.
Core constructs
- Selective attention
- Decision speed
- Stimulus-response mapping
- Perceptual discrimination
Research fit
- Attention deficit screening
- Decision-speed assessment in aging
- Concussion sideline testing
- Pharmacological trial endpoints
Why researchers use ConductCognition
- Hosted browser delivery with no local install burden for participants.
- Study setup, scoring, exports, and participant links in one workflow.
- Transparent pricing instead of opaque enterprise quoting for solo labs.
- Free entry tier plus Academic Pro when you need the full battery and trial-level exports.
Paradigm overview
The Choice Reaction Time task extends simple reaction time by adding a decision component. A stimulus (colored circle) appears on either the left or right side of the screen, and participants must press the corresponding arrow key. This stimulus-response mapping requires both stimulus identification and response selection.
The difference between CRT and SRT isolates the time required for decision-making, a relationship formalized by Hick's Law (1952): reaction time increases logarithmically with the number of stimulus-response alternatives.
A fixation cross maintains central gaze between trials. The task measures the speed and accuracy of basic perceptual decision-making under minimal cognitive load, serving as an intermediate measure between pure processing speed (SRT) and tasks requiring inhibition or conflict resolution.
Key scoring outputs
Mean Reaction Time
msAverage RT on correct trials only. Primary measure of decision speed.
Lower is better
Median Reaction Time
msMedian RT on correct trials, robust to outliers.
Lower is better
RT Standard Deviation
msVariability in reaction times across correct trials.
Lower is better
Accuracy
proportionProportion of correct responses (correct key pressed).
Higher is better
Correct Trials
countNumber of trials with a correct response.
Higher is better
Error Trials
countNumber of trials with an incorrect key press.
Lower is better
Research evidence and scoring context
Woods DL, Wyma JM, Yund EW, Herron TJ, Reed B (2015). Factors influencing the latency of simple reaction time. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9:193.
N 146618-79
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Related task pages
Research FAQ
Common questions about this online cognitive test
What does this test measure?
Choice Reaction Time Task is used for selective attention, decision speed, stimulus-response mapping research workflows.
What data can researchers export?
Researchers can export scored results, and paid plans support trial-level exports for deeper analysis.
Is this for clinical diagnosis?
ConductCognition is for research use. The platform supports task delivery, scoring, and exports; clinical interpretation remains outside the platform.