Motor-dexterity tests are often used in psychological studies, especially in neuropsychology. For this task, we are going to test motor-dexterity while looking for signs of frustration. First, take a clean pair of rolled-up socks or some other soft item.
QUESTION
Motor-dexterity tests are often used in psychological studies, especially in neuropsychology. For this task, we are going to test motor-dexterity while looking for signs of frustration. First, take a clean pair of rolled-up socks or some other soft item. Then, have the participants throw it into a hoop you make with your arms. The objective is not to see how well they do the task but to see which hand they use; you are trying to determine dominance. After doing this task, ask the participants which hand they prefer to use when writing. While most will prefer the right, some will prefer the left. If a person says both, ask that individual to write a sentence with both hands, one at a time and the two of you can decide which hand to call dominant. In most cases, people will report they use the right hand more, and they will also unintentionally pick the right hand to throw the object with. If they report left and use the right hand to throw, then record that as mixed, but select the hand they choose as dominant. In the end, you will go with what the participant decides. You are required to record all information on the data sheet.
This study involved ten participants. The researcher timed how fast each person put fifteen toothpicks into a mug with each hand. To reduce a significant difference being caused by practice effects, five of the participants started with their dominant hand (DH) and the next set of five started with their nondominant hand (NDH). While they were doing the task, the researcher rated the level of frustration while performing with one hand and then the other one. The researcher was careful not to allow experimenter bias to influence what he or she recorded. Here is the scale used to rate frustration:
Very Frustrated
Not Very Frustrated
5
4
3
2
1
Look at the data sheet:
Participant
#
Start with
NDH
(seconds)
FL-NDH
DH
(seconds)
FL-DH
1
Right
7
3
6
1
2
Right
10
4
8
2
3
Right
9
3
8
2
4
Left
6
2
7
3
5
Right
8
4
6
1
6
Left
12
5
9
1
7
Left
8
1
7
1
8
Right
11
3
10
2
9
Left
8
2
8
2
10
Left
13
5
9
3
The hypotheses for the study were:
People will perform the motor-dexterity task faster with their DH as compared to their NDH.
People will show more frustration while using the NDH.
Determine the average time with the motor-dexterity test, along with the standard deviation, and then use Minitab to analyze the data with a paired t-test to see if there is a significant performance difference between the two hands. Run another paired t-test to see if there is a difference in frustration (FL) while using the DH versus the NDH. Obtain the results and decide if the hypotheses are supported. Write a summary of the findings. Submit the results and summary of the findings in a 3- to 4-page Microsoft Word document.
Submission Details:
Support your responses with examples.
Cite any sources in APA format.
Save your Minitab project and name it SU_PSY2061_W8_A1_LastName_FirstInitial
Submit your document to the Submissions Area by the due date assigned.
Week 8 Project
Assignment
Task: Submit to complete this assignment
Due May 31 at 11:59 PM
Between- or Within-Subject Design
Create a Method section for a study looking at performance in agility school for a dog taught by a professional trainer versus its owner in a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document. Explain why the design you used is appropriate for this study.
ANSWER
Motor-Dexterity Tests: Exploring Dominance and Frustration
Introduction
Motor-dexterity tests are commonly employed in psychological studies, particularly in the field of neuropsychology. These tests aim to assess an individual’s motor skills and determine hand dominance. Additionally, researchers often observe signs of frustration during these tests to gain insights into the emotional aspects of motor performance. In this essay, we will explore a motor-dexterity test designed to identify hand dominance and assess frustration levels. The study involved ten participants who performed a task involving toothpick placement while the researcher recorded data on hand dominance and frustration ratings.
Motor-Dexterity Test Procedure
The motor-dexterity test used in this study involved a simple task using rolled-up socks or a soft item thrown into a hoop made with the researcher’s arms. The objective was not to evaluate the participants’ performance but rather to identify hand dominance. After the task, participants were asked to indicate their preferred writing hand. If a participant expressed preference for both hands, they were further requested to write a sentence with each hand individually. The researcher and participant collaboratively determined the dominant hand based on the performance. The data, including hand preference and frustration ratings, were recorded on a data sheet.
Hand Dominance and Frustration Assessment
To determine hand dominance, participants were asked about their preferred writing hand. Most participants typically favored the right hand, but a subset preferred the left hand. If a participant reported ambidexterity, the sentence-writing task was utilized to identify the dominant hand. In cases where participants reported left-hand preference but used their right hand to throw the object, it was recorded as mixed dominance. Ultimately, the decision on hand dominance relied on the participant’s preference.
The study comprised ten participants, with five starting the toothpick placement task using their dominant hand and the remaining five using their nondominant hand. This approach aimed to mitigate the influence of practice effects on the results. During the task, the researcher assessed and rated the level of frustration experienced by the participants while performing with each hand.
Conclusion
Motor-dexterity tests offer valuable insights into hand dominance and emotional aspects of motor performance. The study described here employed a test involving a simple throwing task to assess hand dominance, followed by a writing task if needed for clarification. By observing participants’ preferences and performances, researchers can identify hand dominance accurately. Additionally, the assessment of frustration levels during the task provides valuable information about the emotional aspects of motor performance. Understanding hand dominance and the emotional experiences associated with motor tasks contributes to a broader understanding of neuropsychological functioning and individual differences.
