NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ932348
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Dec
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0096-1523
EISSN: N/A
Perceptual Learning Immediately Yields New Stable Motor Coordination
Wilson, Andrew D.; Snapp-Childs, Winona; Bingham, Geoffrey P.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, v36 n6 p1508-1514 Dec 2010
Coordinated rhythmic movement is specifically structured in humans. Movement at 0[degrees] mean relative phase is maximally stable, 180[degrees] is less stable, and other coordinations can, but must, be learned. Variations in perceptual ability play a key role in determining the observed stabilities so we investigated whether stable movements can be acquired by improving perceptual ability. We assessed movement stability in Baseline, Post Training, and Retention sessions by having participants use a joystick to coordinate the movement of two dots on a screen at three relative phases. Perceptual ability was also assessed using a two-alternative forced choice task in which participants identified a target phase of 90[degrees] in a pair of displays. Participants then trained with progressively harder perceptual discriminations around 90[degrees] with feedback. Improved perceptual discrimination of 90[degrees] led to improved performance in the movement task at 90[degrees] with no training in the movement task. The improvement persisted until Retention without further exposure to either task. A control group's movement stability did not improve. Movement stability is a function of perceptual ability, and information is an integral part of the organization of this dynamical system. (Contains 1 footnote, 1 table, and 3 figures.)
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A