Q.1
This experiment demonstrated that average reflex time (M=0.02401s) is less than average reaction
time (M=0.2027, p < 0.0001). The reaction pathway is longer than the reflex pathway. The reaction
pathway involves the brain registering the stimulus (hammer), then interpreting and processing that
information in the brain and sending signals to the effector muscles to react (button press). The
reflex pathway detects a stimulus and synapses straight to the spine (afferent pathway), then sends
signals via the efferent pathway to the effector muscles to contract.
Average reaction time with distraction (M=0.3225) is considerably longer than without (M=0.2027, p
= 0.0020). As the reaction pathway involves complex cortical processing, mental distraction acts as
cortical interference. However, average reflex time (M=0.0202) is non-significant compared with and
without distraction (p= 0.9149 (Jendrassik), p = 0.6601 (mental)). Unlike reaction pathways, the
patella reflex does not require cortical involvement and therefore will not be influenced by mental
interference.
A B
This experiment demonstrated that average reflex time (M=0.02401s) is less than average reaction
time (M=0.2027, p < 0.0001). The reaction pathway is longer than the reflex pathway. The reaction
pathway involves the brain registering the stimulus (hammer), then interpreting and processing that
information in the brain and sending signals to the effector muscles to react (button press). The
reflex pathway detects a stimulus and synapses straight to the spine (afferent pathway), then sends
signals via the efferent pathway to the effector muscles to contract.
Average reaction time with distraction (M=0.3225) is considerably longer than without (M=0.2027, p
= 0.0020). As the reaction pathway involves complex cortical processing, mental distraction acts as
cortical interference. However, average reflex time (M=0.0202) is non-significant compared with and
without distraction (p= 0.9149 (Jendrassik), p = 0.6601 (mental)). Unlike reaction pathways, the
patella reflex does not require cortical involvement and therefore will not be influenced by mental
interference.
A B
