Predisposition to fantasy and situational variations as determinants of attention in reaction time tasks.

Abstract

The effects of procedural changes and embellished directions on performance in a reaction time task were predicted on the basis of S's predisposition toward fantasy activity. The 5s who had given more Human Movement (If) responses to an inkblot test were found to be more responsive than 5s who had given less M responses to changes in procedures and directions which altered the interest value of the task. However, this effect was primarily found for the female sample. Interpretations regarding the likelihood of task-relevant and task-irrelevant cognitive activity as mediators of the obtained changes in performance and cautions regarding sex differences in attention and fantasy processes are offered.