The Effect of Age on Reaction Time

Rose Seabrook

Problem: How does the age of a person affect their reaction time?

Hypothesis: If a person is in the age range 10-25 years old, then they will have the fastest reaction time.

Basic Concepts

Reaction Time– Interval of time between application of a stimulus

and detection of response Visual Cortex

– Visually processes information and patterns Motor Cortex

– Plans, controls, executes voluntary functions Reticular Formation

– Filters incoming stimuli– Governs the functions of major organisms

Purpose of Experiment

To discover why people in the age group 10-25 are better in sports, but, are more likely to get into car accidents.

Design DiagramTitle: The effect of the age of a person on their

reaction timeHypothesis: If a person is in the range 10- 25 years

old then, they will have the fastest reaction time.

IV: age

Level 10-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-70

Trials 20 20 20 20 20

Design Diagram Cont.

DV: Distance Ruler Falls (cm)

Constants: height ruler is dropped from, height at which the person catches the ruler, and the weight of the ruler.

Results

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

10-25

14 13 10 17 20 8 1 11 18 7 7 14 18 19 20 22 23 17 16 23

26-35

17 15 16 14 14 13 18 12 9 16 14 27 15 20 20 19 22 15 20 16

36-45

17 22 21 18 19 20 18 22 12 13 13 20 21 14 18 26 11 10 12 19

46-55

22 26 27 25 28 11 17 19 22 5 24 7 16 22 30 13 15 12 25 17

56-70

28 21 26 30 27 29 30 23 26 26 19 15 23 10 28 29 26 16 24 27

Results Cont.

Averages10-25: 14.926-35: 16.636-45: 17.346-55: 19.356-70: 24.15

Statistical AnalysisANOVA Sum of

Square Difference

Degrees of Freedom

Mean Squared

Fisher F- Value

Significance(p)=.05

Between Groups

1, 006.46 4 251. 615 8.292 <0.001

Within Groups

2, 882. 83 95 30. 346 N/a N/a

Total 3, 889.29 99 N/a N/a N/a

•data is of significance because the p value is <.05

• 1/1000 chance that data occurred by chance

Graphed Data

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Conclusions

Hypothesis Supported– 10-25 have a faster reaction time

Reticular Formation– Tasks become routine, brain receives less

stimulation, lower levels of activity– Slows down memory and reaction time as you

age Visual and Motor Cortex

– Slow down with age

Sources of Error

Area Watched– Ruler or hand

Attention Span– Readiness

Human Error– Measurement

Alcohol Influence– Inhibits reaction time

Improvements

Designate an area to watchWarn subject when ruler will be

droppedNo alcohol in subjects system

Extensions and Applications

Alcohol content on reaction timeGender on reaction time

DrivingSports

THE END