Developmental Changes in Reaction Time

Assignment: Developmental Changes in Reaction Time

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.

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.

Include any references used on a separate reference page at the end of the worksheet. References should be formatted in APA format (7th edition), 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?

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

Week 2 Exercise-Developmental Changes in Reacti… (18.69 KB)

Hide Rubrics

 

Rubric Name: PSYC343 Developmental Changes in Reaction Time Assignment

 

 

Criteria Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning Did not attempt Criterion Score
Completed Rubric 20 points

Student fully completed all required trials of the exercise (including self and two other subjects), clearly recording the results.

17 points

Student fully completed exercise him/herself and recruited one subject to complete exercise.

15 points

Student fully completed exercise him/herself, but did not recruit subjects to complete exercise.

13 points

Student partially completed exercise him/herself, but did not recruit subjects to complete exercise.

0 points

Student did not report results of completed exercise trials.

Score of Completed Rubric,

/ 20

Results 20 points

Student provides an accurate, thorough description of the pattern of results, explaining how his/her results were similar or different to the other subjects.

17 points

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.

15 points

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.

13 points

Student attempts to provide a description of the results of patterns and/or how they were similar or different to the other subjects, but description is difficult to understand.

0 points

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.

Score of Results,

/ 20

Research Findings 20 points

Student provides an accurate, thorough description in his/her own words of research findings on developmental changes in reaction time.

17 points

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.

15 points

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.

13 points

Student attempts to provide a description of research findings on developmental changes in reaction time, but description in inaccurate or is difficult to understand.

0 points

Student does not describe in his/her own words research findings on developmental changes in reaction time.

Score of Research Findings,

/ 20

Relevancy 30 points

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.

25.5 points

Student provides a discussion of the relevancy of reaction time and includes a somewhat clear example of the importance of reaction time in real life.

22.5 points

Student provides a discussion of the relevancy of reaction time and the importance of reaction time in real life, but discussion is unclear or difficult to understand.

19.5 points

Student provides either a discussion of the relevancy of reaction time or includes an example of the importance of reaction time in real life, but not both.

0 points

Student does not discuss the relevancy of reaction time or include a clear example of the importance of reaction time in real life.

Score of Relevancy,

/ 30

Formatting/Writing 10 points

Work is presented in a logical and coherent way. Writing is clear, articulate, and error free. Citations, if used, are composed in proper format with few or no errors.

8.5 points

Work is grammatically sound with a few minor errors. Citations, if used, are composed in the proper format with some errors.

7.5 points

Work contains frequent grammatical errors. Citations, if used, are inaccurate or improperly formatted.

6.5 points

Writing errors are so prevalent as to interfere with understanding of the content.

0 points

Work does not demonstrate appropriate undergraduate level writing. Lists, bullet points, or sentence fragments are the primary means of answering questions.

Score of Formatting/Writing,

/ 10

TotalScore of PSYC343 Developmental Changes in Reaction

Time Assignment,

/ 100


Overall Score

 

Exemplary

90 points minimum

Accomplished

80 points minimum

Developing

70 points minimum

Beginning

60 points minimum

Did not attempt

0 points minimum

Submit Assignment

 

 

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Answer preview

As alluded to earlier in the paper, understanding one’s reaction time is vital. People will often find themselves in situations requiring quick reactions to avoid injury or gain an advantage over a rival in a competitive setting. If the end goal is to prevent injury, slow reaction time will inadvertently prevent the attainment of this goal. However, if one’s reaction time is fast, the risk of injury significantly declines. An illustration using an example will help drive this point home. Every person has used a kitchen knife to prepare a meal at some point in their life. Sometimes the knife slips from one’s hand and falls to the floor. When this happens, a person with slow reaction times might get injured by the falling knife since they might not retract their feet or move away fast enough. However, a person with faster reaction times will quickly move away from the falling knife, preventing injury.

[864 Words]

Developmental Changes in Reaction Time

 

 

 

 

 

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