The study of caffeine on reaction time and error rate among college students
Authors
Hickey, Simon
Issue Date
2014
Degree
BA (Hons) Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The present study used an experimental design to examine the effects of caffeine on the measured variables of reaction time and error rate among college students. Caffeine was also measured against the descriptive variable gender, along with error rate and reaction time. A clinical sample of people (N=26) was used, twelve males (n=12) and fourteen females (n=14) participated voluntarily. The results indicated that there was no significance between caffeine, reaction time and error rate due to some limitations outlined in the discussion section of this paper. The result also indicated a significant relationship between caffeine and gender differences in error rate (U= 4.500, p= .424), and the findings suggest for future studies, the area of gender differences across different dose of caffeine is an area that could be further researched. Overall the findings of this study remain positive, although no significance was found with two out of three hypothesis, it is hoped that this research might enhance future research and perspective in the area of psychopharmacology and awareness about the benefits for caffeine and its psychostimulant effects on the human body. Author keywords: Caffeine, reaction time, psychopharmacology,