Investigating Reaction Time Flashcards
what is reaction time?
the time it takes to respond to a stimulus- often less than a second
what factors can affect reaction time?
age, gender or drugs
How can you measure reaction time using a ruler?
1)the peson being tested should sit with their arm resting on the edge of a table to stop their arm moving up and down during the test
2)hold a ruler vertically between their thumb and forefinger and ensure the zero end on the ruler is level with their thumb and finger
3)let go without giving any warning and the person being tested should try to catch the ruler as quickly as they can
4)reaction time is measured by the number on the ruler where it is caught. The number should read from the top of the thumb. The further down the ruler is caught (the higher the number) the slower the reaction time
5) repeat this several times and calculate the mean distance that the ruler fell
6) the person being tested should then have a caffeinated drink and after 10mins repeat the test and calculate another mean
How can reaction time be measured with a computer test?
the person would have to click the mouse or press a key as soon as they see the stimulus on the screen (e.g. a box change colour)
What are the advantages of testing reaction time with a computer?
-it gives a reaction time with a higher resolution as its measured in mlleseconds
-it removes the possibility of the person being able to predict when to respond from reading the tester’s body language to anticipate the drop
