Question

A researcher announces that he will be conducting an experiment to investigate the detrimental effects of sensory deprivation on perceptual-motor coordination. The first 40 students who sign up for the study are assigned to the experimental group, and the next 40 who sign up serve in the control group. The researcher supervises all aspects of the study's execution. Experimental subjects spend 2 hours in a sensory deprivation chamber, where sensory stimulation is minimal. Control subjects spend 2 hours in a waiting room that contains magazines and a TV. All subjects then perform ten 1-minute trials on a pursuit-rotor task that requires them to try to keep a stylus on a tiny rotating target. The dependent variable is their average score on the pursuit-rotor task.

Short answer

Question: Based on the given step-by-step solution, describe the experimental design used to investigate the effects of sensory deprivation on perceptual-motor coordination. Include details on the composition of the experimental and control groups, the implementation of the sensory deprivation and control conditions, and how the dependent variable is calculated and analyzed.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the experimental design

In this study, the researcher is investigating the effects of sensory deprivation on perceptual-motor coordination. There are two groups of participants: the experimental group, which experiences sensory deprivation, and the control group, which does not. The dependent variable is the average score on a pursuit-rotor task.

Divide the participants into experimental and control groups

The first 40 students who sign up for the study are assigned to the experimental group, and the next 40 sign-ups form the control group. It's important to note that the allocation of participants was non-random in this study, based on the order they signed up.

Implement the sensory deprivation condition and control condition

The experimental group undergoes 2 hours in a sensory deprivation chamber, where sensory stimulation is minimal. The control group spends 2 hours in a waiting room with magazines and a TV. These conditions aim to create a significant difference between the experiences of the two groups before they complete the pursuit-rotor task.

Conduct the pursuit-rotor task

After experiencing their respective conditions, each participant performs ten 1-minute trials on a pursuit-rotor task, which requires them to try to keep a stylus on a small rotating target. This task is designed to measure their perceptual-motor coordination.

Calculate the dependent variable

The dependent variable in this study is the participants' average score on the pursuit-rotor task. Calculate the average score for each participant by adding their scores on each of the ten trials and dividing by ten.

Compare the average scores of the experimental and control groups

Using the calculated average scores for each participant, compare the experimental and control groups to determine if there is a significant difference in perceptual-motor coordination between those who experienced sensory deprivation and those who did not.

Interpret the results

Analyze the results and determine whether the findings support the researcher's hypothesis that sensory deprivation negatively affects perceptual-motor coordination. Consider any limitations of the study design, such as the non-random allocation of participants to groups, and the potential impact these limitations may have on the study's conclusions.

Key concepts

Perceptual-Motor Coordination

Perceptual-motor coordination refers to the intricate interplay between sensory perception and physical movement. In simple terms, it's how the brain processes sensory information (like sight and touch) to produce coordinated motor responses. Imagine the delicate act of threading a needle or catching a ball; both require precise perceptual-motor coordination.

Research often studies the impact of different factors on this coordination, as seen in the sensory deprivation experiment. By having participants perform a pursuit-rotor task—a test where they follow a moving target with a stylus—researchers can quantify coordination skills. This task is particularly effective because it challenges individuals to continually adjust their motor output in response to changing visual stimuli, highlighting the sensory-motor link.

Experimental Design in Psychology

Understanding experimental design is fundamental in psychological research. It's like following a recipe for a study, ensuring each step is planned to determine cause and effect relationships. A good experimental design includes clear definitions of all variables, the selection of participant groups, and detailed procedures for conducting the experiment.

For example, in the sensory deprivation research, the design included an experimental group and a control group. This structure allows for the comparison of outcomes between subjects exposed to sensory deprivation and those who were not, paving the way for discovering potential effects on perceptual-motor coordination.

Control Group in Experimental Studies

A control group serves as a baseline in experimental studies. It’s similar to having a 'before' picture when you're trying to lose weight; it shows you where you started. In this context, students in the control group spent time in a waiting room with typical sensory stimulants like magazines and TV, representing 'normal' conditions.

This setup is crucial as it helps isolate the variable being tested—in this case, the effect of sensory deprivation. Without the control group, it's like shouting in a noisy room; the specific voice of the study's result gets lost amidst the background noise.

Dependent Variable in Research

Each experiment has a star of the show, and in research, this is the dependent variable. It's the outcome being measured or what's likely to change as a result of different factors in the study. In the sensory deprivation experiment, the dependent variable is the average score on the pursuit-rotor task, which represents the participants' level of perceptual-motor coordination.

The dependent variable answers the burning question of the study—'Did sensory deprivation affect performance?' By comparing the scores of the experimental and control groups, researchers can draw conclusions about the effects of the independent variable, which in this case is sensory deprivation.