Date of Award
5-2000
Honors Thesis Number
11942
Major
Psychology
Faculty Advisor
Gilbert, David
Abstract
The effects' caffeine has on attention was investigated using a visual vigilance computer task. Fourteen university students (mean age = 21) received class research for I participating on three separate occasions; orientation, caffeine condition (2mg per kg. of I body weight), and placebo condition (2mg per kg. of body weight of Quinine). In both sessions the substances were added to 20ml of diet, caffeine-free Pepsi. There was at I least one day between each session. All sessions were conducted in the morning and I caffeine was restricted from 12:00 midnight the night before the session. When compared with placebo, caffeine did not significantly decrease response time. There was I no correlation found between decreased response time from the placebo to caffeine I condition when compared to attention rating scores on The Adult Attention Deficit I Disorders Evaluation Scale. There was a significant difference found between a valid and non-valid cued condition and a lOOms and 800ms non-cued condition within the task.