Tania Gonzalez
Juan Ortiz
Problem statement:
Do males have faster reaction times than females?
Introduction:
The common belief is that males have better reaction times than females. This
experiment will be conducted in order to either prove or contradict this statement as true
or false. According to our background and research, males have a faster reaction time.
This may be due to the way they are brought up; playing sports and outdoor activities
that help them with their reflexes. However, females may have grown up playing with
dolls instead of a baseball. Additionally, some girls grow up playing sports with the boys,
which may affect their reaction times. Therefore, does a difference in gender affect
one’s reaction time?
Background and Research:
Past research supports the idea that males have faster reaction times than
females. For example, in an experimental study conducted by Der and Deary in 2006,
where over 7400 subjects participated; males were about 190 milliseconds quicker than
females. Another study, performed by Dr. Gary Cox, also supports the idea that males
have a faster reaction time than females. In addition to solid research conducted in the
past, the subjects in this experiment may have been brought up differently; the females
may have grown up playing sports instead of with dolls. Males may also have been
doing other things instead of playing with toy trucks. Overall, background and research
supports the hypothesis of this experiment.
http://www.biae.clemson.edu/bpc/bp/Lab/110/reaction.htm#Gender
www.pwlk.net/reaction/experimental_report.pdf
www.colorado.edu/eeb/courses/1230jbasey/abstracts%202005/21.htm
Hypothesis:
If several people of the same age and different genders are tested on their
reaction times, then the males will have a better reaction time.
Materials:


A computer with internet access
At least 8 females

At least 8 males
Safety Precautions:


There is a risk of shock if liquids are spilled on the computer.
There is also a risk of shock when plugging the computer into an outlet.
Procedure:
1. Turn on the computer and open up the web browser.
2. Open up the Bryn Mawr College Serendip activity Time to Think? available at:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/reaction/reaction.html
3. If necessary, download the Shockwave plug-in.
4. Read the directions and note that there are four tasks listed. Each subject will
complete both the first (Case 1)
and the last (Case 4) tasks.
5. The average reaction times for
each of the tasks will be
collected from each person.
6. The data would then be
averaged into four numbers:
female reaction times for case 1,
female reaction times for case 4,
male reaction times for case 1,
and male reaction times for case
4.
Data:
Female Data
Subject #
Task (Case) #1
Task (Case) #4
1
446ms
803ms
2
241ms
622ms
3
329ms
556ms
4
241ms
599ms
5
218ms
753ms
6
208ms
574ms
7
226ms
719ms
8
239ms
418ms
Male Data
Subject #
Task (Case) #1
Task (Case) #4
1
249ms
543ms
2
266ms
672ms
3
266ms
534ms
4
240ms
485ms
5
156ms
365ms
6
286ms
508ms
7
237ms
608ms
8
189ms
420ms
Females vs Males Reaction Time
in Milliseconds
800
600
400
Male
200
Female
0
Case 1 Case 4
averageaverage
Task (Case) #1 Average
Task (Case) #4 Average
Males
236.125ms
516.875ms
Females
268.5ms
630.5ms
Results/Analysis:
For this experiment, 8 subjects completed both task one and four 10 times. All of
our subjects were between the ages of 15 and 17. The data was then averaged out.
The results shown in the tables labeled Male Data and Female Data shows the
averages of the 8 subjects. Therefore, the controls in this experiment were the age,
which tests they took, and how many times they took the tests. This data varies
between each individual male and female. However, when the data is averaged out, the
males have slightly quicker reaction times on both cases.
Conclusion Statement:
The evidence of this experiment supports the hypothesis that if several people of
the same age are tested on their reaction times, males have a faster reaction time.
Summary Paragraph:
In our conclusion, it was stated that males on, average, have faster reaction time
than females. Our data supported this statement. For Case 1 in the reaction time test on
the internet, males averaged 236.125 milliseconds while females averaged 268.5
milliseconds. There was a difference of 32.375 milliseconds between these genders
where the males had the faster reaction time. This clearly supported the statement that
males have faster reaction times then females. To makes sure, another trial was made,
but this time they would take test 4 of the internet’s reaction time test. Males had an
average of 516.875 milliseconds and the females averaged 630.5 milliseconds. The
difference was greater this time but it still supported the statement once again. Although
there isn’t any backup for this, the reason for this outcome might be based on the
differences males and females have due to how they are raised. For example males are
expected to be athletic and to do more physical activities, as for females who are
expected to be more gentle and feminine.
Reflection:
There were some possible errors when this experiment was being conducted.
For example, some people may have given the scientists false information. Another
possible error was when we averaged out the results of the reaction times because we
could have added the wrong numbers or recorded the wrong data. Further research
could be made regarding why males have faster reflexes than females or what affects
the reaction times.