Methods in the study of motor programming: is it just a matter of simple vs. choice reaction time? A comment on Klapp...

A recent article (Klapp, Abbott, Coffman, Greim, Snider, and Young, 1979) has concluded that central time demands of motor programming can only be determined by choice reaction time methodology. A critique of the theoretical position and results of this study is made showing that this conclusion is unwarranted. We go on to suggest that the simple vs. choice reaction time controversy might only be clouding a more basic issue in motor programming research; viz., identification of relevant internal response variables. Finally, a case is made for the notion that the choice reaction time paradigm may produce response competition (interference) effects and as a result confound measures presumed to reflect only the processes involved in the organization of movement.