Question

What is the carousel apparatus and what it is used to study? Discuss one advantage of using the carousal apparatus and one problem with it. Do the costs outweigh the benefits? Why or why not?

Answer 1

A carousel apparatus is a box like apparatus used in psychological testing. It contains a track plate, 2 or more tracks and an allignment box. The track plates are used to define a closed circuit which is used by the allignment block to travel while maintaining a fixed orientation. It is also made such that it can bear load which is transported recieculatively by maintaining the orientation. This apparatus is used to study the depriviation of sleep in rats. It is only used by rats as the apparatus is very small and similar to skinners box in the external look but internally it has a track plate which is rotated by the tracks. The major advantage of carousel apparatus is that it yields yoked control i.e. similar research subjects are joined by receiving the same stimulus or conditions. The disadvantage is that its results are difficult to interpret as it produces stress alongwith sleep deprivation. The costs do outweigh the benefits as the effects cannot be interpreted easily and it also negatively impacts the subject.