Measuring auditory inspection time in primary school children

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between visual inspection time (VIT) and a new measure of auditory inspection time (AIT: see Parker, Crawford, & Stephen, 1999). The purpose was twofold: first, to understand the generality of the mechanism underpinning performance on visual IT tasks (VIT); second, to evaluate the efficacy of this new auditory task. Participants were 80 primary school children aged 10-12 years. They each completed AIT, VIT, and a marker test for each of general speediness (Gs), fluid ability (Gf), and crystallized ability (Gc). AIT and VIT were positively correlated with each other, and they both correlated with the marker of Gs. However, the data suggest that the nature of IT tasks changes as task difficulty increases. Thus, IT appears to be a purer measure of processing speed at longer exposure durations. These findings are discussed in relation to the methodology employed in IT estimation and in light of recent comments concerning the psychological complexity of IT.