Reaction Measurement Essay Research Paper The reaction

Reaction Measurement Essay, Research Paper

The reaction time of ten subjects was measured. The subjects were asked to catch

a ruler ten times under five different conditions. The first condition measured

the subject’s simple reaction time. Each further condition added an additional

stimulus and the reaction times were measured. There was a clear increase in

reaction time with the addition of further stimulus, however the expected result

of a steady increase in response time with the addition of each condition did

not occur. The third condition displayed the highest response time where as the

final condition displayed the second lowest (after condition 1). Assuming that

no design problems in the experiment affected the results, it cannot be

concluded that cognitive processes occur in separate order and do not overlap.

Given the average reaction time of condition five was lower than condition

three, some cognitive adaption may have occurred to lower the response time of

the subjects or another reason may exist. One aspect not covered by the

experiment, but important to the results was the error factor. Pre-guessing the

experimenter caused a high rate of error, however it lowered the overall

results. Why measure response times. As the world moves forward with technology,

increasing pressure is placed upon humans to be quicker, be smarter and to

operate more efficiently. As the population increases systems are being put in

place to reduce incidences and accidents occurring. An example of this is a

study conducted by Cameron, 1995 examining the influence of specific light

colors, motor vehicle braking and the reaction time of the drivers to these

specific clouds and conditions to avoid rear end collisions. Donders subtractive

method holds that reaction times can be obtained by subtracting the simple

reaction time; or subtracting type A from type B etc. (Cameron, 1995). Given

this, it stands that the more stimulus provided (or thought processes required),

the longer the response time of the subjects. This theory is tested in the

measurement of ten responses to five test conditions. The trial provides

preliminary information to participants and it is expected that reaction times

will be shorter than if no information was supplied. (Rosenbaum, 1980.) Method

Participants Ten participants were selected, four female and six male. Ages

ranged from twenty-two to fifty three. All were fully able bodied and from

English speaking backgrounds. Materials A plastic yard rule was used. The yard

rule was six centimeters in width. Procedure Condition One The experimenter sat

one subject on a chair and instructed them to place their arm out in front of

them at a comfortable height. The yard rule was then placed between the

subject’s fingers at a height of 10 centimeters. The subject was then told the

condition 1 (Appendix A) and given three trials. The subject then completed the

ten tries at the condition and the results were recorded. All ten subjects were

tested in the same manner. No abnormal results were obtained. Condition Two The

experimenter sat one subject on a chair and instructed them to place their arm

out in front of them at a comfortable height. The yard rule was then placed

between the subject’s fingers at a height of 10 centimeters. The subject was

then told the condition 2 (Appendix A) and given three trials. The subject then

completed the ten tries at the condition and the results were recorded. All ten

subjects were tested in the same manner. An error rate and abnormal results

occurred. Condition Three The experimenter sat one subject on a chair and

instructed them to place their arm out in front of them at a comfortable height.

The yard rule was then placed between the subject’s fingers at a height of 10

centimeters. The subject was then told the condition 2 (Appendix A) and given

three trials. The subject then completed the ten tries at the condition and the

results were recorded. All ten subjects were tested in the same manner. An error

rate and abnormal results occurred. Condition Four The experimenter sat one

subject on a chair and instructed them to place both their arms out in front of

them at a comfortable height. The yard rule was then placed between the

subject’s hands at a height of 10 centimeters. The subject was then told the

condition 4 (Appendix A) and given three trials. The subject then completed the

ten tries at the condition and the results were recorded. All ten subjects were

tested in the same manner. A high error rate and abnormal results occurred.

Condition Five The experimenter sat one subject on a chair and instructed them

to place both their arms out in front of them at a comfortable height. The yard

rule was then placed between the subject’s hands at a height of 10 centimeters.

The subject was then told the condition 5 (Appendix A) and given three trials.