Chapter 2 Theoretical Constructs In Motor Behavior

Terms And Definitions

Affordances

The action possibilities of the environment and task in relation to the perceiver’s own capabilities

Attractor

A preferred state of stability toward which a system spontaneously shifts (dynamic system approach)

Closed-loop Control

A type of control system that provides the opportunity to make continuous corrections based on feedback received during the movement

Constraints

Boundaries that limit a person’s movement capabilities

Constraints Model

A model of behavior asserting that coordination is developed by changing constraints imposed by the interaction of the individual with the environment

Control Parameter

Variables that induce a shift from the current attractor state to a new attractor state

Dynamic Systems Approach

A perspective that addresses the interplay of the environment, task, and individual on skilled movement. Movement is the result of a self-organization of many systems, owing to interactions across these constraints.

Ecological Approach

A motor development or learning perspective that rejects the hierarchical view of the brain as the ultimate controller of movement. This perspective stresses the role of the environment as it interacts with the individual to produce fluid movement.

Environmental Constraints

Constraints that are external to the mover

Functional Constraints

Individual constraints imposed by psychological variables such as motivation, arousal, and intellect

Generalized Motor Program (GMP)

A representation of a pattern of movements that is modifiable to produce a movement outcome; enables the production of skilled movement in the information-processing theory.

Individual Constraints

Boundaries imposed by the organism itself. Also see structural constraints and functional constraints

Information-Processing Theory

One of the theoretical constructs of motor behavior; it proposes that the brain receives, processes, and interprets information to send signals to produce skilled coordinated movements, like how a computer functions.

Invariant Features

Variables that cannot be modified between attempts (including the sequence of movements, relative force, and relative timing).

Open-Loop Control

A type of control system for error correction that produces rapid, discrete movements; it requires preplanning of the movement

Parameters

Features that can be modified during the execution of a movement pattern (including muscle selection, overall force, and overall duration).

Perception

The act of attaching meaning to something

Phase Shift

The change in a state that causes a shift or reorganization to a new attractor state.

Physical Environmental Constraints

External conditions that can aid or hinder movement patterns (e.g., weather, temperature, lighting, floor surface, step height)

Rate Limiter

A control parameter that limits or hinders performance

Schemas

Rules or relationships developed through accumulated experiences within a generalized motor program

Self-Organization

A system’s ability to change state or acquire a new structure or pattern of movement

Sociocultural Environmental Constraints

Constraints imposed by social and cultural norms and pressures

Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off

The tendency for accuracy to be compromised when speed is increased (e.g., many errors) or for speed to be sacrificed when one is focused on accuracy (e.g., movement is slowed down)

Structural Constraints

Individual constraints imposed by physical characteristics such as gender, height, weight, and body makeup.

Task Constraints

Constraints imposed by the task itself, including the goals of the movement, rules, and equipment.