Document Type
Paper
Publication Date
4-25-2019
Advisor
Michael Livingston, Psychology
Abstract
Social media is distracting more people than ever before. As a result, this study will look to confirm that the use of Instagram will significantly decrease reaction times while performing other tasks. Using an independent groups design, with posttest only experiment, participants were assigned to conditions through block randomization. The control group was only tested on their reaction time using their dominant hand to catch a meter stick. The experimental group was tested the same as the control group on their reaction time, but they were asked to scroll through Instagram with their nondominant hand at the same time. There were 20 participants, 16 were female, and 4 were male, each condition had 10 participants. Participants were a convenience sample from a small midwestern liberal arts college. The mean reaction time for the control group is 23.15 seconds (SD=4.55), while the mean reaction time for the experimental group is 29.4 seconds (SD=2.50). There was statistical significance between the two groups t(18)=-3.80, p=0.001, d=1.70. The 95% confidence interval ranged from -9.70(LL) to -2.80(UL). My hypothesis is supported by the results of my study. When using Instagram people had slower reaction times than those not on social media.
Recommended Citation
Pavelka, Katherine, "The Effects of Social Media on Reaction Times" (2019). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 83.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/83