reaction time prac

• Caffeine


  A drug that can speed up a person's reaction time
• Measuring the effect of caffeine on reaction time

  1. Person sits with arm resting on table

  2. Hold ruler vertically between thumb and forefinger

  3. Let go of ruler without warning

  4. Person tries to catch ruler as quickly as possible

  5. Measure distance ruler fell to get reaction time

  6. Repeat test several times and calculate mean

  7. Person drinks caffeinated drink, wait 10 minutes, repeat test
• Too much caffeine can cause unpleasant side-effects
• Reaction time measurement using a computer

  • Person has to click/press a key as soon as they see a stimulus on the screen
  • Computers can give a more precise reaction time by removing human error
  • Computers can record reaction time in milliseconds for more accuracy
  • Computers can remove the possibility of anticipating the response