Developmental Changes in Reaction Time|Psychology
Visit the following website and follow the directions on screen to complete the Reaction Time Test. Record your times for each trial, as well as your ending average time.
https://www.mathsisfun.com/games/reaction-time.html
Next, ask two other people to complete the exercise and record their times. This can include spouses, family members, friends, co-workers, or whomever you wish. However, make every attempt to ensure that these people differ from you in age. Preferably attempt to recruit people who are 10 years (or more) apart from you in age (either older or younger). Doing so will help you to better answer the required questions.
Complete the worksheet in the attached document and submit your completed worksheet here in the Week 2 Assignment: Developmental Changes in Reaction Time area in the Assignments link in the classroom no later than 11:55 pm EST Sunday. Include any references used on a separate reference page at the end of the worksheet. References should be formatted in APA format both in-text and on your reference page. Please visit the APUS Writing Center or the Purdue OWL website for examples of APA formatted references.
Name:
Date:
Assignment Title:
Exercise Results:
Your own Average Reaction Time: ________________
Person #1 Average Reaction Time: ________________
Person #2 Average Reaction Time: ________________
As per your readings and your own research on the subject matter, answer the following questions:
Briefly (2-3 sentences) summarize your results and the results of your two subjects (be sure to list your age and the ages of your two subjects). What similarities and differences did you note between everyone’s average reaction time?
Briefly (2-3 sentences) describe what the research literature shows us about trends in reaction time as we move through adulthood toward old age.
Explain (3-4 sentences), in your own words the relevancy of reaction time to “real life.” Provide one example in real life where reaction time could affect one’s life positively or negatively. Why is reaction time important?
Week 2 Exercise: Reaction Time Rubric
Component
Excellent
Satisfactory
Needs Improvement
Unsatisfactory
Points Earned
Completed the Reaction Time Rubric
20 Points Possible
Student completed all required trials of the exercise (including self and two other subjects), clearly recording the results.
Student completed exercise him/herself and recruited one subject to complete exercise.
Student completed exercise him/herself but did not recruit subjects to complete exercise.
Student did not report results of completed exercise trials.
Interpretation of Results
20 Points Possible
Student provides an accurate, thorough description of the pattern of results, explaining how his/her results were similar or different to the other subjects.
Student provides a mostly accurate description of the pattern of results, explaining how they were similar or different to the other subjects. At times description lacks coherence.
Student provides a marginal description of the pattern of results, explaining how they were similar or different to the other subjects. Sufficient details and supporting evidence are lacking.
Student does not provide a description of the pattern of results, and does not explain how they were similar or different to the other subjects.
Description of Research Findings on Reaction Time
20 Points Possible
Student provides an accurate, thorough description in his/her own words of research findings on developmental changes in reaction time.
Student provides a mostly accurate description in his/her own words of research findings on developmental changes in reaction time. At times definition lacks coherence.
Student provides a marginal description in his/her own words of research findings on developmental changes in reaction time or uses only the words of others to define.
Student does not describe in his/her own words research findings on developmental changes in reaction time.
Relevancy of Reaction Time
30 Points Possible
Student provides an insightful and creative discussion of the relevancy of reaction time and includes a clear example of the importance of reaction time in real life.
Student provides a discussion of the relevancy of reaction and includes a somewhat clear example of the importance of reaction time in real life.
Student provides a discussion of the relevancy of reaction time, but does not include a clear example of the importance of reaction time in real life.
Student does not discuss the relevancy of the reaction time or include a clear example of the importance of reaction time in real life.
Formatting/Writing
10 Points Possible
Work is presented in a logical and coherent way. Writing is clear, articulate, and error free. Citations are composed in proper format with few or no errors.
Work is grammatically sound with a few minor errors. Citations are composed in the proper format with some errors.
Work contains frequent grammatical errors. Citations are inaccurate or improperly formatted.
Work does not demonstrate appropriate undergraduate level writing.
Summary Comments:
Total Points:
/100
