What term describes the time difference between the initial stimulus and the response selection, according to Donders?

The term that describes the time difference between the initial stimulus and the response selection, according to Donders, is known as discrimination time. This concept originates from Donders' seminal work in cognitive psychology, where he explored the stages of mental processing involved in reaction times. Discrimination time specifically refers to the interval required to discern what the stimulus is and make a decision regarding the appropriate response. This is a critical aspect of understanding cognitive processes, as it helps illustrate how humans interpret stimuli before moving on to execute a response.

Other choice options like response time and reaction time may pertain to the overall duration from stimulus presentation to response execution but encompass more than just the decision-making aspect, thereby making them broader terms. Processing time isn't a term that directly corresponds to Donders’ specific classifications of mental operations. Thus, discrimination time accurately captures the particular interval that Donders was investigating concerning response selection following a stimulus.