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The basic senses

5 figures covering the basic senses, fastest first.

What Typical Range Kind What is measured
Simple tactile reaction time 155 ms 130 ms–190 ms Reaction Respond as soon as the skin is touched or vibrated.
Simple auditory reaction time 170 ms 140 ms–200 ms Reaction Press a button as soon as a tone sounds.
Simple visual reaction time 250 ms 200 ms–300 ms Reaction Press a button as soon as a light appears. One stimulus, one response, no choice to make.
Recognition reaction time 340 ms 280 ms–450 ms Reaction Respond to some stimuli and withhold on others — a go/no-go task.
Choice reaction time 380 ms 300 ms–500 ms Reaction Two or more stimuli, each with its own response. Press left for a red light, right for a green one.

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