RP: Reaction Time

• What is the experimental setup for measuring reaction time described using?

  Two people working together
• In the experiment, which person measures the reaction time of the other?

  Person 2
• What posture should person 1 adopt when preparing for the reaction time test?

  Sitting upright on a stool
• Where should person 1 place their dominant arm during the reaction time experiment?

  Across the table with hand overhanging
• What part of the ruler should be between person one’s thumb and finger at the start of the experiment?

  The zero centimeter mark
• At what point does person two drop the ruler in the reaction time experiment?

  At a random time
• What action does person one take when person two drops the ruler?

  Catch the ruler
• What measurement does person two record after person one catches the ruler?

  The level at the top of the thumb
• What calculation is performed using the recorded measurements in the reaction time experiment?

  A mean is calculated
• How are the ruler measurements converted into reaction time?

  Using a conversion table
• Why do the two people switch places in the experiment?

  To compare reaction times
• What is the independent variable in this reaction time experiment?

  The person being tested
• What is the dependent variable in this reaction time experiment?

  The reaction time
• What type of variables should not be allowed to change during the experiment?

  Control variables
• What is the first control variable mentioned in the video?

  Thumb and finger distance
• Where on the thumb should the ruler measurement be taken?

  Top of the thumb
• What environmental conditions should be kept constant in the room?

  Lighting and noise level
• What could happen if control variables are not kept constant?

  It could affect reaction time
• If a person catches the ruler at 15 cm on average, and another person catches it at 20 cm, what can be inferred?

  The first person has faster reactions
• If the lighting in the room is suddenly dimmed during the experiment, what might happen?

  Reaction times may be affected
• What is one independent variable that could be investigated related to practice?

  The number of tries
• How might reaction time change with practice?

  It may become shorter
• What other hand could be used to catch the ruler?

  The non-dominant hand
• How might reaction time differ between the dominant and non-dominant hand?

  Dominant hand may be shorter
• What chemical does the video suggest could be investigated for its effect on reaction time?

  Caffeine
• How long before the experiment should the test subject consume the cola?

  Half an hour
• Why is it important to use a caffeine-free cola in addition to regular cola?

  To check for other chemicals
• What is a key safety consideration when giving test subjects something to drink?

  Check for medical issues
• What is one specific medical issue mentioned that could be affected by caffeine?

  Heart condition
• Where should the test be carried out?

  A lab where hazardous chemicals aren't used
• How might the experiment be affected if the participant knows when the ruler will be dropped?

  Reaction time could decrease artificially
• What is the purpose of calculating the mean reaction time from several attempts?

  To increase the reliability of the data
• If person one's average reaction time improves after several attempts, what can you say about learning?

  Learning can improve reactions
• How could individual differences affect the results, and how could the experiment be modified to account for this?

  Use a large sample size to average out differences