Supplementary data for the paper: Responses to Raven Matrices: Governed by Visual Complexity and Centrality?

Raven matrices are widely considered a pure test of cognitive abilities. Previous research has examined the extent to which cognitive strategies, as inferred through eye-tracking measures, are predictive of the number of correct responses to Raven items. This study aimed to determine whether response times can be explained directly from the centrality and visual complexity of the matrix cells (edge density and perceived complexity). A total of 159 participants completed a 12-item version of the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices. In addition to item number as an index of item difficulty, the findings demonstrated a positive correlation between the visual complexity of Raven items and both the mean response time and the number of fixations on the matrix (which is a strong indicator of response time). The results also revealed that more centrally placed and more complex cells received more fixations. It is concluded that response times on Raven matrices are impacted by low-level stimulus attributes, namely visual complexity and eccentricity.

瑞文推理矩阵（Raven matrices）被广泛视作纯粹的认知能力测试工具。既往研究已考察了通过眼动追踪指标推导的认知策略，对瑞文推理测验题目正确作答数的预测程度。本研究旨在探究：反应时是否可直接通过矩阵单元的中心性与视觉复杂度（即边缘密度与感知复杂度）得到解释。共计159名参与者完成了含12道题目的瑞文高级推理矩阵（Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices）版本。除以题目序号作为题目难度的表征指标外，研究结果显示，瑞文测验题目的视觉复杂度与平均反应时、矩阵注视点数量（该指标为反应时的强预测因子）均呈正相关。此外，研究还发现，位置越靠近中心、复杂度越高的矩阵单元，获得的注视点数量越多。综上，瑞文推理矩阵测验的反应时受低水平刺激属性影响，具体为视觉复杂度与离心度。