Reaction Time Lab Report

1 Reaction Time Lab Report Introduction: Reaction time is the time between the presentation of a stimulus and the initiation of the muscular response to that stimulus. Reaction time is crucial for humans to keep themselves safe in everyday situations, such as driving a car, playing a sport, or walking down the road. Several different factors affect reaction time. This experiment was performed in order to measure the time it took an individual to react in response to a visual stimulus, as well as an auditory stimulus. Through the collection of this data, using a cell phone timer, we were able to both familiarize and apply different statistical methods in order to analyze our data. Material Used:     Roller Cell phone Timer 7 cm paper clips box for elevation Table for hand support Manipulate Variables:     Switch hands Patting table with other hand Singing the alphabets Saying: ready, set, go Hypothesis: We used two different manipulative variables and predicted the following: If you add an additional sensory stimulus such as singing the alphabet, the reflexes will be stalled due to the interneurons having to process additional information. If we say (ready, set, go) then we will not be at stall in our reflexes, due to verbal preparation. 1 Procedure: We worked with our partners to complete the following procedures. We each got to act as the recorder and test our partners reaction time. After we completed the steps, we exchanged roles and repeated the procedure. Part 1-Baseline Reaction Time: We started by placing our forearms on the surface of the table with our hands extended over the edge. Our partner positioned the zero end of the roller between our thumb and forefinger. Our partner then said “Go” and released the roller. We watched our partner as she released the roller and then caught it between our fingers as quickly as we could. We then recorded the distance that the roller fell and repeated it 5 times. Next, we switched roles and repeat the procedure. Part 2-Reaction Time while Singing the Alphabet: First we repeated the above procedure except this time our partner released the roller at 5 sec while I was singing the alphabet. Hands were supported by the table with a 7 cm paper clips box used for elevation. I had to catch the roller as soon as she released it. We then repeated the trial 5 times. Next, we switched roles and repeated. Part 3-Reaction Time with Auditory Stimulus Only: We repeated the first procedure except this time we set the timer at 5 seconds and our partner said (ready, set, go) using the same speed and same tune every time. our partner dropped the roller We caught it as quickly as we could and then repeated for 5 trials. We switched roles and repeated. Reaction Time Data Trial 1 2 3 4 5 Controlled Experiment Distance (cm to Reaction time nearest 0.1cm) (msec) 14 cm 170msec 16 cm 180msec 16 cm 180msec 17 cm 190msec 15 cm 170msec AVG Reaction Time 178msec Singing the Alphabets Distance (cm to Reaction time nearest 0.1cm) (msec) 19 cm 200msec 16 cm 180msec 25 cm 230msec 15 cm 170msec 15 cm 170msec AVG Reaction Time 190msec Results: Saying (Ready, Set, go) Distance (cm to Reaction time nearest 0.1cm) (msec) 5 cm 90msec 5 cm 90msec 5 cm 90msec 5 cm 90msec 5 cm 90msec AVG Reaction Time 90msec 1 Reaction Time Data 200 Reaction Time in milisecond 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Reaction Time Data P1 P2 P3 Discussion and Conclusions: For the most part, we were able to keep the experiment relatively standard. Some problems we encountered were: Distraction at the lab might have affected our response to catch the roller. We did not have a standard position of the tester’s hand while dropping the roller. Not accurately measuring the distance of the fall, not catching the roller at all and possibly having some inaccuracies when it came to the calculations. Through in this lab we were able to explore the result of different stimuli on reaction time. We predicted that reaction time would be slowest whilst using more than one stimulus. The data supported that reaction time during controlled experiment was faster than that when we added extra stimulus and distractions. As it was affected by the major distraction. Multitasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. When you try to do two things at once, your brain lacks the capacity to perform both tasks successfully.