Publication Date
Spring 3-23-2026
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Psychological Sciences and Neurosciences, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Michael Oliver
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
Our study examines the interaction of temperature discrepancies and reaction speed in college students. Previous research suggests that temperature influences reaction time, with colder conditions generally slowing responses. However, comparatively little research has explored the effects of warmer temperatures on reaction speed. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to examine the relationship between temperature variation and reaction speed in college students. Participants will be recruited through word of mouth and the SONA pool. The SONA pool is used to recruit participants for studies, and they can sign up to fulfill course requirements or earn extra credit. In the Qualtrics survey, we included just one question to collect their BUID's to give the participants credit if needed. Besides that, no identifiable information is collected. Participants will complete a Stroop test while being exposed to one of two conditions (mildly warm or cold room). Participants will not be told beforehand about temperature and will be debriefed about it after. The Stroop test will record the reaction speed after completion. We hypothesize that reaction times will be slower under cold temperature conditions compared to neutral conditions, while mildly warm conditions will be associated with faster reaction times. Through this study, we aim to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of how temperature influences reaction speed. Understanding how temperature influences reaction speed has profound real-world implications. In activities such as operating machinery, driving, and responding to emergencies, where minor delays can have major repercussions, reaction time is crucial. Institutions could use this information to improve learning and testing environments for better student outcomes if it is demonstrated that higher temperatures increase reaction speed. Evidence-based recommendations on workplace temperature could be beneficial to enhancing not only performance, but safety.
Recommended Citation
Berber, Jessica; Patel, Yatri; Ali, Yara; and Schumacher, Rileigh, "PSYCHOLOGY: Examining the Relationship between Temperature Discrepancy and Reaction Speed" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 851.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/851
