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Related Experiment Videos

Startle response is dishabituated during a reaction time task.

Anthony N Carlsen1, Romeo Chua, J Timothy Inglis

  • 1School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, 210-6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.

Experimental Brain Research
|August 9, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Startling stimuli can trigger faster movements in reaction time tasks, but habituation can limit their use. This study found that startle responses in the sternocleidomastoid muscle persisted, and reaction times were shorter with a startle response.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Motor Control
  • Experimental Psychology

Background:

  • Startling stimuli can involuntarily trigger prepared movements, offering insights into voluntary action control.
  • The startle response's utility in experiments is potentially limited by habituation, with varying habituation rates observed.
  • Previous research suggests activity levels influence startle habituation rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the habituation rate of startle responses during a reaction time (RT) task.
  • To determine if startle stimuli shorten RT and if the presence of a startle response impacts RT.

Main Methods:

  • Participants performed a wrist extension RT task with 100 trials.
  • An unexpected auditory startle stimulus was presented in 20 trials.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Electromyographic (EMG) activity in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and RT were recorded.

    • Main Results:

    • Startle-induced EMG activity in the SCM persisted throughout the experiment, indicating incomplete habituation.
    • Reaction times were significantly shorter in the startle condition compared to control conditions.
    • Shorter RTs were observed when a measurable SCM EMG burst was present during startling.

    Conclusions:

    • Startle responses do not fully habituate within 20 trials of a reaction time task.
    • Startling stimuli can shorten reaction times, particularly when a clear physiological startle response is elicited.