Author Date

2020-03-12

Degree Name

Department

Psychology

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Defense Date

2019-12-06

Publication Date

2020-03-20

First Faculty Advisor

Dr. Bruce Brown

First Faculty Reader

Dr. Daniel Kay

Second Faculty Reader

Dr. David McPherson

Honors Coordinator

Dr. Bruce Brown

Keywords

Sternberg, Presence-Absence Testing, Memory Load Testing, PM 2.5, PM 10, Herpes Simplex 1, Reaction Times

Abstract

There are many regions where human population levels naturally create pollution by the processes by which everyday living occurs. This study views the effects on the reaction times of healthy individuals compared with individuals carrying latent infections Herpes Simplex 1, Toxoplasmosis Gondi, and Helicobacter Pylori, all residents of the Utah Valley region, known for poorer air quality due to the geographic landscape of the nearby mountains. College students were tested to see how high-pollutant air qualities (air pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 specifically) may have affected their reaction times when presented with stimuli from the Sternberg Memory Load and Presence Absence tests. The measurements of those with and without the latent infections would be compared and contrasted through multivariate analysis to provide an indication of whether or not reaction times were significantly impaired or not. Results gathered from study may prove valuable in future analyses of how minor or major infections could significantly impair members of society who depend on quick reaction times to maintain healthy levels of safety for societal living.