PSYCHOLOGICAL PROGRAM AND TECHNIQUE. 167 



Word reactions are illustrated in figure 29 (p. 158) in the portion of 

 the record below the cross. Beginning at the bottom of the record and 

 reading from the left, the first break in the line, designated as E, signi- 

 fies the exposure of the word. The next upward movement of any one 

 specific line is the reaction. The peripheral velocity of the drum was 

 100 mm. per second. The reactions are very quickly read by placing a 

 ruled glass plate over the record, and since the exposure positions 

 formed a straight line as in the record illustrated, it is not necessary to 

 move the plate to read each reaction in turn. In computing results 

 adjustment was made for any inaccuracy in the speed of the kymo- 

 graph. When the reactions were finished the experimenter took the 

 voice-key in his hand and shook it gently. This produced a series of 

 breaks in the line which is nearest the cross in figure 29, and served as 

 a rough standardization for the action of the key. 



Suitable illumination was provided at the back of the subject and 

 directed over his right shoulder at the exposure apparatus at such an 

 angle that reflected hght was not troublesome to the eyes. The appara- 

 tus, as used, was very convenient to both subject and experimenter. 

 The 25 reactions, including preliminary adjustments, require approx- 

 imately 3 to 3| minutes. The subject was instructed to speak quickly 

 and distinctly ''each word that came into view." The words were all 

 4-letter, 1-syllable English words. Those employed were to some 

 extent the same as had been previously used in other word-reaction 

 and memory experiments. A subject was shown all the words to 

 begin with before the first reaction measurements were taken. The 

 same words were always used, but particular care was taken to keep 

 the cards clean and the pack of cards was well shuffled before each 

 trial. Thus, while the subject became thoroughly familiar with the 

 words, he had no way of anticipating their order of exposure. 



(11) Continuous Discrimination and Reaction in Finding Serial Numbers.^ 



On a sheet 8 inches by 10 inches the numbers 1 to 50 are arranged in 

 an irregular order, as indicated in figure 37. The task assigned the 

 subject was to point to these numbers in order, beginning with 1 and 

 continuing, without skipping any number, until he reached 50. The 

 complexity of the pattern which must be followed in touching each one 

 of the numbers successively and in the right order is shown in figure 38, 

 starting with S and ending with E. The test blank was on a table in 



1 This convenient test was brought to our attention by Dr. Francis N. Maxfield, formerly of the 

 Psychological Laboratory and Clinic, University of Pennsylvania. In a personal communication 

 he states that it was arranged by Mr. Charles K. Taylor, while working with Professor E. L.^ 

 Thorndike at Columbia University, and suggests that it might be called "The Taylor Numbers." 

 Mr. Taylor, now in the Government service, has used the test with subjects of different age 

 groups. His subjects were required to connect the numbers by drawing lines (see our fig. 38), 

 starting at 1 and continuing as far as possible during the 2-minute period allowed. He informs us 

 through Captain Smiley Blanton that subjects about 20 years old could find and connect the first 

 22 numbers within 2 minutes. He was unable to supply any reference to a printed article describ- 

 ing the test. 



