Details of Response Time Task

Each item starts with a forward mask of nonsense symbols #@GX& that remains on the screen for a duration of 167 milliseconds.  This is followed by the prime, a whole number, that remains on the screen for 50 milliseconds.  The prime is immediately followed by a backwards mask of nonsense symbols @X&#G that remains on the screen for 33 milliseconds.   After that the stimulus symbol, a whole number, is presented and remains on the screen for a little more than a second.    The participant is asked to respond by indicating whether this number is odd or even as fast as they possibly can without making mistakes.   Most people should not be able to the prime as it is on screen for only 50 milliseconds.  But the prime is there.