<p>In <a href="http://www2.psychology.uiowa.edu/faculty/mordkoff/InfoProc/pdfs/Hyman%201953.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hyman (1953)</a> the following data is shown (Fig.1). The bits of information were the number of choices in an AFC task, where 1 to 8 alternatives corresponded to 0, 1, 1.58, 2.00, 2.32, 2.58, 2.81, and 3 bits of information (the <sup>2</sup>log of the N alternatives).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/dEAk2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/dEAk2.png" alt="Hyman 1953"></a><br>
<sup>Fig. 1. RT as a function of bits of info. source: <a href="http://www2.psychology.uiowa.edu/faculty/mordkoff/InfoProc/pdfs/Hyman%201953.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hyman (1953)</a></sup></p>

<p><sub><strong>Reference</strong><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="http://www2.psychology.uiowa.edu/faculty/mordkoff/InfoProc/pdfs/Hyman%201953.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hyman, <em>J Exp Psychol</em> (1953); <strong>45</strong>(3): 188-96</a></sub> </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-06T12:17:51.087Z
thanks, this is indeed the paper I'm referring to, in my question. I should have been much more precise in my question, so I've just edited it: I'm actually looking for trial-by-trial data, not averages.
Arthur
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-06T13:04:17.717Z
Likely unavailable after more than 60 years.
AliceD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-02T14:27:07.660Z
2017-05-02T15:14:20.373Z
2017-05-02T15:14:20.373Z
AliceD
<p>The Hick-Hyman law states that in a reaction-time experiment, the average reaction time of a human subject is a linear function of the average information $\sum -p \log p$, i.e. the entropy, contained in the stimulus. [Hyman 1953]</p>

<p>Where can I get data supporting this? Data from Hyman’s paper would be great!</p>

<p>EDIT: more precisely, I'm looking for a complete, <em>trial-by-trial</em> dataset; not just averages.</p>

<data><psychophysics>
Where can I find experimental data supportive of the Hick-Hyman law?
Arthur
# Where can I find experimental data supportive of the Hick-Hyman law?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-01)

The Hick-Hyman law states that in a reaction-time experiment, the average reaction time of a human subject is a linear function of the average information $\sum -p \log p$, i.e. the entropy, contained in the stimulus. [Hyman 1953]

Where can I get data supporting this? Data from Hyman’s paper would be great!

EDIT: more precisely, I'm looking for a complete, *trial-by-trial* dataset; not just averages.

**Tags:** data, psychophysics


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-05-02. Score: 1

In [Hyman (1953)](http://www2.psychology.uiowa.edu/faculty/mordkoff/InfoProc/pdfs/Hyman%201953.pdf) the following data is shown (Fig.1). The bits of information were the number of choices in an AFC task, where 1 to 8 alternatives corresponded to 0, 1, 1.58, 2.00, 2.32, 2.58, 2.81, and 3 bits of information (the 2log of the N alternatives).

[![Hyman 1953](https://i.sstatic.net/dEAk2.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/dEAk2.png)  
Fig. 1. RT as a function of bits of info. source: [Hyman (1953)](http://www2.psychology.uiowa.edu/faculty/mordkoff/InfoProc/pdfs/Hyman%201953.pdf)

**Reference**  
**-** [Hyman, *J Exp Psychol* (1953); **45**(3): 188-96](http://www2.psychology.uiowa.edu/faculty/mordkoff/InfoProc/pdfs/Hyman%201953.pdf)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: thanks, this is indeed the paper I'm referring to, in my question. I should have been much more precise in my question, so I've just edited it: I'm actually looking for trial-by-trial data, not averages.  
> **username_1**: Likely unavailable after more than 60 years.  

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