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The shape of a response time (RT) distribution can be described by a 3-parameter model consisting of the convolution of the normal and exponential distributions, the ex-Gaussian. Analyses based on mean RT do not take the distribution's shape into account and, for that reason may obscure aspects of performance. To illustrate the point, the ex-Gaussian mode) was applied to data obtained, from a Stroop task. Mean RT revealed strong interference but no facilitation, whereas the analysis based on the ex-Gaussian model showed bath interference and facilitation. In short, analyses that do not take the shape of RT distributions into account can mislead and, therefore, should be avoided.
Heathcote et al. (Fri,) studied this question.