Decision-making and Motor Behavior

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Input Central Processing

Output

Welford’s (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

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– Hide’s 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/04Rivera-t.html?_r=1

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Psychological Refractory Period (The Fake)

The psychological refractory period is created when two signals are presented in succession

It’s 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

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