In our experiments, only the person being jiggled by the toothbrush could
see the jiggling numbers. I must admit, however, that this variable was
not well manipulated i.e., I was not standing right next to anyone
holding the toothbrush nor did I invite anyone to stand right next to me.
I don't think that it would make that much difference though, would it?
Maybe the students had a ft. or so between their shoulders. (It's a
cramped classroom.)
Oh, even though it was an instructive demonstration and I don't regret it.
I have to say that I did not ask this student to bring her toothbrush and
clock to class. I suggested that she try her experiments at home. I was
surprised to see them in my class.
Thanks,
Faith
----------
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Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 17:42:02 -0500 (EST)
From: Stephen Black <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Stephen Black <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: TIPS <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Jiggle show again
MIME-Version: 1.0
On Fri, 5 Nov 1999, Faith L Florer wrote:
>
> I already posted the results from one experiment that we tried in
> class on TIPs. If you missed my posting, here it is again. The student
> brought her toothbrush and alarm clock to class last Monday, plugged
them
> both in and demonstrated to the class that the phenomenon. WE found
<snip>
>
> 2.) The alarm clock did not appear to jiggle unless the toothbrush
handle
> was held against your chin. That ruled out the electromagnetic energy
> hypothesis. (That was the explanation that my students favored.)
Faith:
There's still one crucial bit of information about the phenomenon
which isn't clear from your description.
When the toothbrush runs and the jiggle begins, can other people
besides the toothbrusher/chin stimulator see the effect simultaneously
as well? If other people can see it, then it can't be a perceptual
illusion. In that case, chin or no chin, the electromagnetic energy
hypothesis is alive and well (perhaps chin application orients the
toothbrush to a critical angle for emitting the EM energy).
But if only the toothbrusher/chin stimulator can see it, then it's all
in her head for sure.
Stephen (who regrets that his toothbrush never makes anything jiggle)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
