B5 - RP - Reaction Times

What is the dependent variable (measure)?

The reaction time.

What is the independent (change) variable?

Person having the reaction time measured.

What are the control (same) variables?

Starting distance between thumb and first finger, measure with the ruler from the top of persons thumb, conditions of the room should be kept the same.

How could we improve the validity of this experiment?

.

Describe a method for this RP.

1. Person 1 sits with a good, upright posture.

2. They then place their forearm of their dominant arm across the table, with their hand overhanging.

3. Person 2 holds a ruler vertically, the 0cm should be between person 1’s thumb and first finger.

4. Person 2 then drops the ruler at a random time. Person 1 should try and catch the ruler as quickly as possible.

5. Person 2 now records the measurement that is level with the top of p1’s thumb.

6. Repeat the test several times and calculate a mean.

7. Repeat with p1 and p2 swapped.

8. Use a conversion table to convert the measurement to a reaction time.