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Required Practical: Human Reaction Times
REACTION TIME is measures how quickly an individual can RESPOND to a STIMULUS. Factors affecting a person’s reaction time include AGE, GENDER, and SUBSTANCE INTAKE (such as caffeine or medication).
1. Ruler Drop Experiment
To measure REACTION TIME without complex equipment, you can use the simple RULER DROP TEST. Here's a detailed guide on how to conduct it:
- The person being tested should sit comfortably with their forearm resting on the table's edge, ensuring their hand is over the edge to catch the ruler.
- Position a ruler so that the ZERO MARK is between the subject's thumb and forefinger, which should be at the same height each time to avoid variability.
- The experimenter holds the ruler above the zero mark and RELEASES it without any cues to initiate the test subject's reaction.
- The participant CATCHES the ruler as swiftly as possible upon its release.
- Note the reading on the ruler where it was caught—this number correlates with the REACTION TIME. The further down the ruler is caught, the slower the reaction.
- Repeat this process several times to establish an average, which is the MEAN REACTION TIME.
- To assess the impact of stimulants like CAFFEINE, you can have the participant drink a caffeinated beverage and perform the test again after a set period.
- Ensure that CONTROL VARIABLES are consistent in each trial. This includes the arm used, the height of the drop, and the participant's prior intake of substances like caffeine which could affect their reaction time.
2. COMPUTER-BASED MEASUREMENTS
For a more accurate assessment, computer programs can be used:
- These tests often involve responding to a visual change, like a color shift on the screen, by pressing a key or clicking the mouse.
- Computer tests remove inconsistencies such as anticipation or guessing when the ruler will fall, which can affect manual test results.
- The precision of computers allows for reaction times to be recorded down to the millisecond, providing a much MORE DETAILED view of the person's responsiveness.
- Computer tests also eliminate the potential for HUMAN ERROR in measurement and are MORE RELIABLE for repeated testing and tracking changes over time.
Required Practical: Human Reaction Times
REACTION TIME is measures how quickly an individual can RESPOND to a STIMULUS. Factors affecting a person’s reaction time include AGE, GENDER, and SUBSTANCE INTAKE (such as caffeine or medication).
1. Ruler Drop Experiment
To measure REACTION TIME without complex equipment, you can use the simple RULER DROP TEST. Here's a detailed guide on how to conduct it:
- The person being tested should sit comfortably with their forearm resting on the table's edge, ensuring their hand is over the edge to catch the ruler.
- Position a ruler so that the ZERO MARK is between the subject's thumb and forefinger, which should be at the same height each time to avoid variability.
- The experimenter holds the ruler above the zero mark and RELEASES it without any cues to initiate the test subject's reaction.
- The participant CATCHES the ruler as swiftly as possible upon its release.
- Note the reading on the ruler where it was caught—this number correlates with the REACTION TIME. The further down the ruler is caught, the slower the reaction.
- Repeat this process several times to establish an average, which is the MEAN REACTION TIME.
- To assess the impact of stimulants like CAFFEINE, you can have the participant drink a caffeinated beverage and perform the test again after a set period.
- Ensure that CONTROL VARIABLES are consistent in each trial. This includes the arm used, the height of the drop, and the participant's prior intake of substances like caffeine which could affect their reaction time.
2. COMPUTER-BASED MEASUREMENTS
For a more accurate assessment, computer programs can be used:
- These tests often involve responding to a visual change, like a color shift on the screen, by pressing a key or clicking the mouse.
- Computer tests remove inconsistencies such as anticipation or guessing when the ruler will fall, which can affect manual test results.
- The precision of computers allows for reaction times to be recorded down to the millisecond, providing a much MORE DETAILED view of the person's responsiveness.
- Computer tests also eliminate the potential for HUMAN ERROR in measurement and are MORE RELIABLE for repeated testing and tracking changes over time.
