Reaction Time Task

[riss140]

Hi all,

I am trying to code a basic reaction time task where the fixation cross "+" appears for a varying amount of time and then "GO" is presented. I have created a variable called Times with 200, 400, 600, and 800 in it. I want the fixation cross to display for each of these varying times. I've tried some if then loops and repeats but nothing is happening. I am very new to livecode and know this problem is probably fairly easy to the LC experts.

My current code for the button that begins the experiment is below. The repeat 8 times doesn't work but the randomization does. Another problem is I don't know how to make an item in a list be read as a time.

This is my code:
on mouseUp
go to card 3
put empty into field StimTimes
hide field StimTimes of card 3
hide field Data of card 3

repeat 8 times
put "200, 400, 600, 800" into Times
sort items of Times by random(800)
put Times into field StimTimes
end repeat

put "+" into field StimPres
wait items of Times in milliseconds
put "GO" into field StimPres
end mouseUp

Thank you for your help!!

[dunbarx]

Sounds like fun, though I am not sure exactly what you want. But no matter. We will suggest stuff, you will test and practice, back and forth, until you are adept. In the meantime, on a new card make a field and a button. Lock the field and place this into its script:

Code: Select all

global tTicks

on mouseup
   if  the ticks - tTicks < 70 then
      hide fld 1
      answer "Bingo!"
      exit to top
   end if
end mouseup

in the button script:

Code: Select all

global tTicks

on mouseUp
   show fld 1
   put the ticks into tTicks
   wait random(50) + 50 with messages
   
   if the visible of fld 1 then
      hide fld 1
      answer "Too Bad"
   end if
end mouseUp

The values are arbitrary. If you click on the button, you have a short time to click on the field to win.

Now there are a lot of things here that can be tightened, and much that can be embellished. And I use global variables because they are easy to understand. Otherwise I never use them, but that is for later. Oh, and there are better ways than using "wait" of any kind.

Write back with your comments. And start working on making this what you likely really wanted in the first place.

Craig Newman

[riss140]

Thank you Craig!

I have added to your code to make it more of a reaction time task but I have run into some problems. In the field, a "+" shows for a random time and then GO is presented. I then tried to have the time after "GO" is presented and a tick be put into an added field called data, this would be the reaction time. This only works if the tick happens while the "+" is present. I also tried hiding the field data but that doesn't work either. I had the same problem when trying to show and hide fld 1 in your original code. I didn't delete much of your original code but instead added to it, as I was afraid of messing up the entire thing.

My code for the field is:
global tTicks

on mouseup
hide field data
if the ticks - tTicks <70 then
put the milliseconds into field data
answer "Bingo!"
exit to top
end if
end mouseup

and my code for the button is:
global tTicks

on mouseUp
put the ticks into tTicks
put "+" into fld 1
wait random(50) + 50 with messages
put "GO" into fld 1


if the visible of fld 1 then
hide fld 1
answer "Too Bad"
end if
end mouseUp

I am continuing to tweek it to become more of the reaction time task I want.

Thank you for your help!

Marissa

[Klaus]

Hi Marissa,

1. welcome to the forum!

2. Still not sure what exactly you want to do, but here an important hint:
Always put strings, like names of objects etc., in QUOTES!

Code: Select all

global tTicks

on mouseup
   hide field data
   if the ticks - tTicks <70 then
      put the milliseconds into field "data" 
      answer "Bingo!"
      
      ## Since this is the end of this script, the next line is not neccessary
      ## exit to top
   end if
end mouseup

Here I used your "wait" times as mentioned in your first script.
Please look up any unknown term in the dictionary

Code: Select all

global tTicks

on mouseUp
   put the ticks into tTicks
   put "+" into fld 1
   
   put ANY item of "200,400,600,800" into tWait
   wait tWait millisecs with messages
   put "GO" into fld 1
   
   if the visible of fld 1 then
      hide fld 1
      answer "Too Bad"
   end if
end mouseUp

Best

Klaus

P.S.
Here some great learning resources for the basics of Livecode:
http://www.hyperactivesw.com/revscriptc ... ences.html

[riss140]

Thank you Klaus! I apologize for being vague on what I am trying to accomplish. I am trying to make a reaction time task, it is often used for psychology research. The main idea to is measure the time is takes a person respond, by pressing a key, after being presented a stimulus or in this case, a GO message. So the person sees a "+" for a varying amount of time and then a GO signal. Once they see the GO, they are to press a specified key. The time in between the presentation of the GO and their key press is their reaction time. I want to vary the time the "+" is presented so the person is not getting into a fixed rhythm when responding because that would probably mess up the data.

I have implemented the part of your code that puts the times I mentioned above into tWait. An error pops up that says the handler cant be found. Could that be because the code is in the button and not the card? I created a global variable for tWait but that didnt solve the issue.

I am attaching my code below with some changes.

Code: Select all

 global tTicks
global tWait 

on mouseUp
   put the ticks into tTicks
   put "+" into fld 1
   
   put ANY item of "200, 400, 600, 800" in tWait
   wait tWait milliseconds with messages 
   put "GO" into fld 1
end mouseUp

Code: Select all

global tTicks 
put empty into field data 

on keydown whichkey
   global toggleResponse -- to account for multiple key presses error
   put the milliseconds into RT
   if toggleResponse is 1 then
      put 0 into toggleResponse
      put RT & tab & tWait & whichkey & return after field data
      end if
   end keydown
hide field data

Thanks again for your help and the link to learning resources!

Marissa

[Klaus]

Hi Marissa,

oh sorry, I had a typo in my script, of course it has to read:
...
put ANY item of "200, 400, 600, 800" INTO tWait
## So no need for another global variable.
...

Your other script is not correct:

Code: Select all

global tTicks 

## This line needs to be inside of a handler (mouseup, keydown or wherever this makes sense, it will not be executd in this place!
## And the QUOTES thing, if I did not mention this already :D 
'## put empty into field "data" 

on keydown whichkey
   global toggleResponse -- to account for multiple key presses error
   put the milliseconds into RT
   if toggleResponse is 1 then
      put 0 into toggleResponse
      put RT & tab & tWait & whichkey & return after field data
      end if
   end keydown

## Same for this line!
# hide field "data"

Best

Klaus

[riss140]

Thank you Klaus for your help.