A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What was a finding regarding reaction times in the Barkley-Levenson and Galvan study?

1. Adolescents reacted faster than adults in all scenarios.

2. No differences in reaction times were observed between the age groups.

3. Adults consistently took longer to decide on gambles.

4. Reaction times were based on income levels.

The correct answer is: No differences in reaction times were observed between the age groups.

In the Barkley-Levenson and Galvan study, one significant finding was that no differences in reaction times were observed between adolescents and adults. This suggests that despite the developmental changes and cognitive differences typically associated with adolescence and adulthood, when it came to making decisions under certain circumstances, both groups demonstrated similar speeds in their reactions. This finding is particularly insightful as it counters the common assumption that adolescents might always react more impulsively or quickly than adults, especially in scenarios that involve risky decision-making. By demonstrating comparable reaction times, the study highlights the complexities of cognitive processes across different age groups and suggests that factors such as the context of the decision or the type of task may play a critical role in how reaction times manifest, rather than age alone.