Latency models for reaction time distributions

This paper presents an adaptation of the method of moments for comparing observed and theoretical distributions of reaction time. By using cumulants in place of moments, considerable simplification of the treatment of convoluted distributions is obtained, particularly if one of the components is normally distributed. Stochastic latency models are often poorly fitted by reaction time data. This may be because a simple latency distribution is convoluted with a normal or high-order gamma distribution. The comparison method described will assist investigation of this and other interpretations of reaction time distributions.This work forms part of a project on Information in skill situations supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The paper is in part fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Reading University.