Materials The Results Conclusion Background Bibiography |
Steps: Step1: Dual gustatory stimulus blocks (DGSB) Create 9 DGSB, by sticking 2 toothpicks, point first, into the same side of styrofoam blocks 3cm x 2cm x 2cm.Toothpicks should not protrude out other side of the blocks Step2: Instate dominance questionnaire. 2.1 Hand dominance. Ask subject which hand they use to write with. Record results. 2.2 Foot dominance. There are 3 tests that can be used. 2.2.1 Have the subject stand on both feet and lean forward until one foot is put out to break the fall. The saving foot is dominant. Record results. 2.2.2 Have subject stand on both feet and walk forwards. Observe which foot step forwards first. That is the dominant foot. Record results. Note: Subject should not be aware of purpose of test. 2.2.3 Ask which foot subject kicks with. Record results. 2.3 Eye dominance. There are 2 tests that can be used. Have the subject stand about 4 ft away from a light switch. 1.Have the subject hold up one finger and line it up with the light switch. 2.Have the subject make a circle with their thumb and first finger, and hold it up so that the light switch is in the center of the circle.
For both methods have the subject close one eye and then the other. For one of the eyes the switch should appear to move. When it does the closed eye is dominant. Record results. Step3: Prepare subject for testing by blindfolding them and plugging their nose. Step4: Pre-test to determine the minimum level at which the subject can reliably taste the flavour. Add one half teaspoon of either sugar, salt or lemon juice to one cup of water and stir it in. Dip in the toothpicks of the DGSB and touch them to the subjects tongue. Ask subject if they taste anything. Stir and repeat twice. If subject does not answer correctly all 3 times, add one half teaspoon of the same substance as before and repeat. Repeat these trials until subject answers correctly all 3 times. Record results. Repeat with the other two flavours.
Test each subject using 27 taste trials divided into3 blocks of 9trials each. Each trial should consist of applying either the sweet, sour, or salty flavours to either the left, the right, or both sides of the tongue (3 flavours x 3 side combinations = 9 trials = 1 block). Within each block, the different trials should be applied in a random order, which should be predetermined using a random numbers table. This random order should be determined separately for each block. The order in which the 3 blocks are used should also be randomized for each subject by casting a six-sided die.
Step6: Test the subject.
Apply the trials in the order determined in step5. For trials in which a flavour is applied to both sides of the tongue, dip both toothpicks of the DGSB into the appropriate solution. For trials in which flavour is applied to only one side of the tongue, dip one toothpick into the flavour solution and the other toothpick into plain water. For both types of trials, touch both toothpicks to the subjects tongue at the same time. Ask subject what flavour they taste and on which side of the tongue they taste it. Record results. Repeat until all 27 trials have been completed.
