01.
Millisecond-Accurate Paint Sync Calibration
Standard browser reaction timers initiate time-captions during a state
trigger, letting the browser queue and paint the visual state change
asynchronously. This introduces a variable latency jitter of 8ms to
32ms depending on GPU scheduling and screen refresh rates.
CogniArena resolves this by measuring reaction triggers using a
double-nested requestAnimationFrame (rAF) loop. The start timestamp
is locked only when the browser confirms the paint buffer has updated, matching
real-world photon emission delays.
// Visual trigger paint synchronization
requestAnimationFrame(() => {
requestAnimationFrame(() => {
startTime.current = performance.now();
});
});
02.
Hick's Law (Choice & Decision Latency)
Hick's Law states that the time it takes to make a decision increases
logarithmically with the number of alternatives:
RT = a + b · logâ‚‚ (n)
In our Choice Reaction Test, n = 4. This
logarithmic increase represents prefrontal cortex
stimulus-classification delays. We calibrate this by subtracting the
participant's simple reaction time base to measure pure
decision-overhead.
03.
Fitts's Law (Spatial Aim Precision)
Fitts's Law predicts that the time required to rapidly move to a
target is a function of the ratio between the distance to the target
and the width of the target:
MT = a + b · logâ‚‚ (2D / W)
Our Aim Precision Trainer logs pinpoint coordinate offsets
(sub-pixel distances from target center) and target acquire latency. This
indexes the efficiency of the motor-cortex feedback loops governing spatial
control.
04.
Auditory Low-Latency Web Audio API
Playing compressed audio formats like .mp3 or .wav via HTML5 <audio> elements triggers decoder setup overhead
and buffer delay.
Our Sound Reflex Test synthesizes a pure 750Hz sine tone
directly on the audio hardware thread using the Web Audio API OscillatorNode. This minimizes audio emission delay to sub-millisecond ranges.
05.
Miller's Law (Working Memory Chunking)
Miller's Law states that the average human short-term working memory
span can hold approximately 7 items or "chunks" (7 ± 2).
The Sequence Memory Test and Number Memory Test evaluate
this boundary. By chunking coordinate lists into visual shapes, patterns, or vectors,
participants can optimize working memory efficiency and reach higher stages.
06.
Stroop Interference & Anterior Cingulate Conflict
The Stroop effect quantifies cognitive interference between automated word reading
and intentional ink color naming. When color words and font colors conflict (incongruent trials),
neural conflict triggers the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC).
CogniArena records the exact latency difference (Stroop Effect = RT_incongruent - RT_congruent) in milliseconds.
07.
Dual N-Back Continuous Working Memory Updating
Dual N-Back tasks require continuous matching of simultaneous visual grid positions
and auditory phonemes against stimuli presented N steps earlier. This taxes the central
executive component of Baddeley's working memory model, requiring rapid item encoding,
maintenance, and active discarding of obsolete representations.
08.
Trail Making & Cognitive Set-Shifting
The Trail Making Test assesses visual search speed, scanning, and mental flexibility.
In Part B (alternating numbers and letters: 1-A-2-B-3-C), the brain must switch cognitive sets
between sequential schemas, isolating frontal lobe executive control and processing efficiency.
09.
Academic Literature & Foundational References
- Hick, W. E. (1952). On the rate of gain of information. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 4(1), 11-26.
- Fitts, P. M. (1954). The information capacity of the human motor system in rapid aimed movements. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 47(6), 381-391.
- Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review, 63(2), 81-97.
- Stroop, J. R. (1935). Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 18(6), 643-662.
- Jaeggi, S. M., et al. (2008). Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory. PNAS, 105(19), 6829-6833.
- Reitan, R. M. (1958). Validity of the Trail Making Test as an indicator of organic brain damage. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 8(3), 271-276.
- Der, G., & Deary, I. J. (2006). Age and sex differences in reaction time in adulthood: Results from the UK Health and Lifestyle Survey. Psychology and Aging, 21(1), 62-73.
