Donders Paradigm

Donders' Paradigm, developed by psychologist Franciscus Donders, is a method to study mental processes by measuring how long they take. Participants perform tasks that vary in complexity, such as simple responses (pressing a button when a light appears) versus more complex ones (identifying the color). By comparing response times, researchers can infer the duration of specific mental processes, like perception or decision-making. This helps understand how the mind works and how different cognitive steps contribute to our reactions, providing insight into the sequence and timing of mental activities.