Participants
Both the male and female freshman basketball teams of St. Francis Xavier High School, a local high school, were sampled in the experiment. The high school freshman population was chosen because freshman are typically unexposed to the underlying purpose of the experiment like many upperclassmen may be from higher classes. This could alter the results and the natural human response to the situation may not be shown. Twenty-one total students participated, eleven males and ten females. The participants consisted of students between the ages of fourteen and fifteen.
Design
The study was classified as experimental. The independent variable was the color of the drink. The color was defined as how the average person would perceive …show more content…
The experiment utilized five different colors of food coloring which all have common flavor associations: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. Several clear plastic cups were used to distribute the samples to the participants to provide a maximum perception of the color of the drink. To accompany the colors, five different flavors of flavored water were used. Fruit2o and Propel, brands of flavored water was used in the flavors of Strawberry, Grape, Orange, Lemon, and Cherry. In order to create the samples and have an even color for each sample, six pitchers and six spoons were used to create the solutions to be tested. Sheets with the samples listed in order and space to fill in the flavor tasted were given, along with a writing utensil, to the participants to record the results of the experiment (Appendix B). Saltine crackers were also provided for the participants to rule out any flavors of the previous drink that may have lingered in the mouth. Additionally, a permission slip was handed out prior to the experiment to ensure consent and