Van der Ven, Ad H. G. S.Smit, J. C.Jansen, R. W. T. L.2011-06-102011-06-101989Van der Ven, A. H, Smit, J. C & Jansen, R. W. (1989). Inhibition in prolonged work tasks. Applied Psychological Measurement, 13, 177-191. doi:10.1177/014662168901300209doi:10.1177/014662168901300209https://hdl.handle.net/11299/107293A new model is presented that explains reaction time fluctuations in prolonged work tasks. The model extends the so-called Poisson-Erlang model and can account for long-term trend effects in the reaction time curve. The model is consistent with Spearman’s hypothesis that inhibition increases during work and decreases during rest. Predictions concerning the long-term trend were tested against data from the Bourdon-Vos cancellation test. The long-term trend in the mean and in the variance was perfectly described by the model. A goodness-of-fit test comparing frequency distributions of observed reaction and simulated reaction times was also supported by the model. Index terms: concentration, continuous work, distraction, inhibition, prolonged work, reaction time, response time.enArticle