Jennifer Wants to Study Motor-Pursuit Performance Tracking a Moving Light

question 36

Multiple Choice

Jennifer wants to study motor-pursuit performance tracking a moving light with a hand-held wand) under each of three conditions of distraction, high, medium, and low. Instead of using three separate groups of participants, she makes sure her groups are equivalent by testing the same 12 participants under all three conditions of distraction. She finds that performance is poorest in the first high distraction) condition, better in the second medium distraction) , but best in the third low distraction) condition. She concludes that performance is hindered by distraction. What is the problem with this interpretation?

• A) her participants could have improved simply with practice over the three conditions
• B) comparisons like that should only be made across separate groups of people
• C) twelve participants are not enough to allow for such conclusions
• D) you can't measure and compare a variable like motor pursuit performance over time

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Definitions:

Monitor Display

A visual output device that displays computer-generated images and information to the user.

Dentate Gyrus

A part of the hippocampus in the brain involved in the formation of new memories and one of the few regions where neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons) occurs.

Neurogenesis

The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.

Hippocampus

A major component of the brain in humans and other vertebrates, associated with memory formation and spatial navigation.