Decision-making and Motor Behavior

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Decision-making and Motor Behavior
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Input
Central Processing
Output
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Welfords (1976) Hypothetical Model of
Information Processing
From Welford, A.T. (1976) Skilled Performance
Perceptual and Motor Skills. Scott, Foresman and
Company Palo Alto, CA.
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What is the decision process?

• In the decision process performers develop a plan
  or strategy for the movement.

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What does reaction time measure?

• Afferent flow of information
• Processing of information by the brain
• Efferent flow of information

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Fractionated Reaction Time

• Premotor Reaction Time
• Motor Reaction Time
• Total Reaction Time

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From Magill, R.A. (2007). Motor Learning and
Control Concepts and Applications (8th ed.).
McGraw Hill New York, pp 183.
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• Reaction time Premotor RT Motor RT

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Define

• Simple Reaction Time
• Choice Reaction Time

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Memory Drum Theory

• Franklin Henry provided the Memory Drum Theory
• Fischman, Christina, and Anson
• Klapp
• Hides thesis

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What is information and how is information
measured?

• Limited capacity of the decision process
• Single channel processing
• Bottleneck in the system

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Uncertainty

• Number of possible alternatives (CRT)
• Number of stimuli
• Vary the probability of occurrence
• Sequential dependencies
• Predictability
• Temporal uncertainty
• Spatial uncertainty
• Event uncertainty
• Perceptual uncertainty

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BITS

• BITS measures the complexity and uncertainty of
  information
• Calculation of BITS

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Perceptual Discrimination

• Just Noticeable Difference
• Being able to detect differences in stimuli if
  they in fact exist
• http//www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/magazine/04River
  a-t.html?_r1

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Psychological Refractory Period (The Fake)

• The psychological refractory period is created
  when two signals are presented in succession
• Its the time it takes to respond to a fake and
  realize it is a fake when the real move is
  recognized and the performer has to initiate a
  new response

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From Magill, R.A. (2007). Motor Learning and
Control Concepts and Applications (8th ed.).
McGraw Hill New York.
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Facts about the Psychological Refractory Period

• RT to the first signal is the same as when
  stimulus 1 is presented alone
• RT to the second signal is almost always longer
• If the interstimulus interval (ISI) is less than
  100 msec sometimes the performer responds to only
  one signal
• Practice will not improve the psychological
  refractory period
• The psychological refractory period can be
  eliminated if the performer knows where stimulus
  2 will occur
• The psychological refractory period is a central
  phenomenon. It is not sensory or motor.

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Activity Groups

• Temporal Uncertainty
• Event Uncertainty
• Perceptual Uncertainty
• Spatial Uncertainty
• Define the concept and provide a minimum of 3
  examples of movement exemplars of these ideas