measuring performance and learning

know and understand the reaction time timeline!

why is does the line go from flat to squiggly?

emg is measuring action potentials in the muscle, so when it is flat there is no depolarization happening and no action potentials being received to quite the opposite

where does this line change?*

at the neuromuscular junction; represents the onset of movement (separates premotor and motor reaction time)

know this graph through and through!

what each line means, most specifically the reaction time section

what is the first characteristic affecting reaction time?

number of response choices - hick’s law

what is the overall definition of hick’s law?

the more choices you have the longer it takes to make the choice - increases reaction time

what is the second characteristic of RT?

predictability of the correct response choice

what is precuing?

advance information about which response must be made in a choice situation

what is the third characteristic of RT?

influence of the probability of precue correctness

what is the fourth characteristic of RT?

Stimulus-Response compatibility

what is the fifth characteristic of RT?

Foreperiod length regularity

what is the sixth characteristic of RT?

Movement complexity

what is the seventh characteristic of RT?

Movement accuracy - fitt’s law

what is the eighth characteristic of RT?

repetition of movement

what is the ninth characteristic of RT?

Time between different responses to different signals

what is the tenth characteristic of RT - performer characteristics?

Alertness of performer (Vigilance - affected by SLEEP)

what is the 11th characteristic of RT - performer characteristics?

Attention focused on the signal versus the movement

• internal versus external focus of attention

what are the types of error measures? think of the target!

absolute

constant

variable

what is absolute error?

the unsigned deviation from the target or criterion - the literal number of errors present

what is constant error?

the signed (+/-) deviation from the target or criterion

what is variable error?

represents the variability (consistency) of performance

kinematics

• displacement

• velocity

• acceleration

emg

electromiography - represents changes in the electrical activity of one or more muscles

will NOT ask about mmg

records changes with excitation-contraction coupling and contraction of muscle

will not ask a bout types if brain activity scan thing

how do we asses motor learning?

performance characteristics!

• improvement

• consistency

• stability

• persistence

• adaptability

• reduction of attention demand

improvement

consistency

stability

stability of the influence on skill performance due to a disruption (pertivations)

persistence

capacity to do the skill increases

adaptability

can perform the skill in a variety of contexts

reduction of attention demand

the amount of attention you have to pay to a skill should go down with practice

Observing practice performance (Performance curves)

Line graph that plots performance measures across practice trials or periods of time

Provide evidence of

• Improvement

• Consistency

know what these curves look like!

what are the 4 general trends in performance curve

•Linear

•Negatively accelerated

•Positively accelerated

•Ogive or S-shaped

retention test

how much did you retain from previous lesson

transfer test

test of learning; can you apply a concept somewhere else besides the classroom example for instance

coordination dynamics

should improve in coordination over time and release degrees of freedom

dual-task procedure

two tasks at one time