Experiments and Data
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Early History of Reaction Time Research
Reaction time is measured in a variety of psychological experiments. The history of reaction time in the 1800s is discussed by Christopher D. Green in this mini-documentary. What were some of the reasons for differing reaction time measurements among researchers? Could this occur today? How? Does the apparatus used by Wilhelm Wundt diminish his impact on the field of scientific…
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Delayed Gratification: M&Ms
In this experiment, researchers test the impulse control of children. An experimenter tells the children that if they wait to eat the candy they will receive four more M&Ms. The experimenter leaves the room to observe the childrens actions through a two-way mirror. What was the research question in this experiment? What types of data could the researchers collect from…
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Implicit Association Test
This clip demonstrates the Implicit Association Test (IAT). African American and Caucasian participants take the IAT individually, and in the presence of others. A show host reveals the participants responses (i.e., preference for whites/blacks) and participants offer their feelings about the test. Do you support the level of deception necessary to conduct the IAT? What pattern of results would you…
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The Worlds Deepest Bin TheFunTheory.com
TheFunTheory.com conducts an experiment in order to get park passersby to throw their trash in a bin by making it a fun activity. The experimenter installs a motion-detection device that triggers an entertaining sound when rubbish is thrown into the bin. During a one day period 72 k of trash is thrown into the bin; a nearby trash bin receives…
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Being a Psychology Research Assistant
An undergraduate at Juniata College describes her work. Their research examines how animal minds are similar to human minds. In time-place learning, the experimenters move platforms under a Morris Water Maze to see how the rats adapt. Describe the research conducted in the Widman lab. What are some of the benefits of being a research assistant? How will the experience…
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The Milgram Experiment
This short animated clip explains both Milgrams experiment and the implications it had. In light of how closely this experiment followed World War II, do you think the results of the experiment made a bigger impact on people than they would today? Do you find the deception used in this experiment to be ethical?
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Mario Kart Race Times Analysis
This video presents data on World wide competition times for the video game Mario Kart for the Nintendo Wii. The data from several months is shown. How does this data reflect the central limit theorem?
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Cooking with the Rennards: Chicken Soup for a Cold
A University of Nebraska Medical Center researcher tests the age-old remedy for the common cold. Stephen Rennard, M.D. took his wife’s family recipe into his lab and discovered chicken soup slows cold symptoms. The Rennards cook and share “grandma’s” famous recipe. What is Dr. Rennards hypothesis about chicken soup and its affect on people with colds?
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