The latencies of correct and incorrect responses in discrimination and detection tasks: Their interpretation in terms of a model based on simple counting

A model for two-choice discrimination based on a process of simple counting is described, and two experiments are performed to test the predictions of the model concerning the graph of latency as a function of response proportion. Two main forms of this graph are identified and predicted to arise in different circumstances. The experimental results support the model, and its possible extension to other psychophysical situations, especially signal detection, are then discussed. It is compared with a model derived directly from the detection situation, and the usefulness of testing these models is pointed out.