Study Reaction Time

Study Reaction Time

 

 

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Abstract

The study constituted 28 participants drawn from the psychology class at B College. The study used the Online Psychology Laboratory. Independent variables that were used in this study were three paradigms namely choice, simple, and go/nogo. The participants were provided with three tasks namely “choice reaction time”, “simple reaction time” and “go/nogo reaction time. They were tasked with responding only after they saw the color after visual stimulus had been presented. The dependent variable that was used in the study was the reaction time (RT) for the identified three events. The test was conducted within the respective subject design and re-administered T-test results were indicative of a higher reaction time (RT) than the simple trial results.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

The study focused on the simple reaction times towards color through choice and go/nogo. The study constituted 28 participants drawn from the psychology class at B College. The study used the Online Psychology Laboratory. Independent variables that were used in this study were three paradigms namely choice, simple, and go/nogo. The participants were provided with three tasks namely “choice reaction time”, “simple reaction time” and “go/nogo reaction time. They were tasked with responding only after they saw the color after visual stimulus had been presented. The dependent variable that was used in the study was the reaction time (RT) for the identified three events. The test was conducted within the respective subject design and re-administered T-test results were indicative of a higher reaction time (RT) than the simple trial results.

In Ulrich, Mattes, & Miller, (1999) the authors note that processes such as mental chronometry take measurement of the time taken by the brain to make response to stimuli. The author first measured the time components of the conceptual thoughts of humans and expression of human desires in the year 1865. Based on such, there are three primary reaction time experiments namely the choice, simple and go/nogo experiments. Additionally, the author indicates from research conducted that the differential time between stimulus and response for hearing, touch and vision stood at 1/6, 1/7 and 1/5 seconds respectively.

Sternberg, (1969) notes that the variance between reaction times was influenced by the role of external factors such as age differences between the participants of the study. In addition, practice among the participants also leads to shorter reaction time as they are well versed with the routine and process of the study (Ansorge, & Wühr, 2009). Snodgras, et al., (1967) also affirms that adequate preparations and practice results in fast reaction times as compared to participants who do not have information or preparations on the activities at hand (Whitley, 1966).
Methods

The experiment was conducted on the eight floor of the department of psychology. There were 28 participants who were later divided into groups of 2 each. They had adequate knowledge of the experiment given that they were drawn from the Method Psychology program. The ages of the participants varied and ranged from 20 years to 45 years. The participants were placed in front of a computer to receive the set out stimuli. In addition, they were provided with earphones as a means of indicting their reaction time to audio stimuli (Ansorge, & Wühr, 2009). The visual reaction time tasks were conducted via the Online Psychology Laboratory. The design of the study was developed in a within –subject approach. The tasks set out to be achieved were simple reaction time experiments with each task having a single stimulus and a subsequent single response (Whitley, 1966).

Results

Total no. of Participant (N)	Standard Deviation	Standard Error of Mean (Secs.)	Mean for the RT seconds
28	0.10031	0.01863	0.3578

Figure 1: Mean RT (milliseconds)

 

Total no. of Participant (N)	Standard Deviation	Standard Error of Mean (Secs.)	Mean for the RT seconds
29	0.11660	0.02165	0.42748

 

Discussion

This experiment investigates whether Simple reaction will be faster than either choice and go/nogo RT. To test the hypothesis, the experiment was conducted by the presentation of visual cues to 28 Ps. Each P received 3 tasks (Ansorge, & Wühr, 2009). Initial trials indicated an improvement in RT resulting in faster response times. Across all 4 trials, simple response time was faster than both choice and go/nogo. The outcome demonstrates an immediate improvement due to familiarity. Mental fatigue plays a factor in RT tests and RTs tend to get longer and performance suffers over time (Langer, 2009).

The hypothesis was that Simple reaction time is faster than both choice and go/nogo experiment. Results of the repeated measures T-Test indicated that RTs were significantly faster than choice and go/nogo. Differences in average means of 70 milliseconds were obtained for RTs. The graph of the means of both the RTs shows a significant difference between Simple, choice and go/nogo. Simple leading supports the hypothesis. Some things that could have effected the results is participants not having enough rest or the lack of repeating the task more than once. Experiment should also be conducted with fewer trials. The result of this experiment confirms the hypothesis that Simple RT is faster than choice and go/nogo (Ansorge, & Wühr, 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Ansorge, U., & Wühr, P. (January 01, 2009). Transfer of response codes from choice-response to go/no-go tasks. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006), 62,6, 1216-35.

Ulrich, R., Mattes, S., & Miller, J. (July 01, 1999). Donders’s assumption of pure insertion: an evaluation on the basis of response dynamics. Acta Psychologica, 102, 1, 43-76.

Whitley, J. I. M. D. (April 01, 1966). Faster Reaction Time Through Increasing Intent To Respond. Perceptual And Motor Skills, 22, 2, 663-666.