More than 125 years ago, the Dutch physiologist F. C. Donders devised a new method to study the "speed of mental processes."

Describe the rationale on which this method was based, then compare the use of this method to the techniques that psychologists are currently using to study mental processes, including the use of reaction time and mental processes.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Donders invented a series of mental tasks he thought were different from one another in terms of mental steps involved. His fundamental assumption that more mental steps take more time is still assumed in much of cognitive research today. Include an example of this technique, an explanation of reaction time and an example of its use, and the use of mental processes and resources in current research.