Motor behavior ch 2

Performance outcome measures

A category of motor skill performance measures that indicate the outcome or result of performing a motor skill.

Performance production measures

A category of motor skill performance measures that indicates the performance of specific aspects of the motor control system during the performance of a motor skill.

Measures that indicate the behavior of limbs or body that led to outcome.

Reaction time (RT)

The interval of time between the onset of a signal or stimulus and the initiation of a response.

Movement time (MT)

The interval of time between the initiation of a response or movement and the completion of the response or movement.

Response time

The time from the onset of a signal or stimulus to the completion of a response or movement.

Time interval involving both reaction time and movement time.

Simple RT

The reaction time when the situation involves only 1 signal and each signal requires its own specific response.

Choice RT

The reaction time when the situation involves more than 1 signal and each signal requires its own specific response.

Discrimination RT

The reaction time when the situation involves more than 1 signal but only 1 response, which is to only 1 of the signals.

Absolute error (AE)

The unsigned deviation from the target or criterion, representing amount of error.

Constant error (CE)

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

Variable error (VE)

An error source representing the variability (or conversely, the consistency) of performance.

Root-mean-squared-error

An error measure used for continuous skills to indicate the amount of error between the performance curve produced and the criterion performance curve for a specific amount of time during which performance is sampled.

Kinematics

The description of motion without regard to force or mass.

It includes displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Displacement

A kinematic measure describing changes in the spatial positions of a limb or joint during the time course of the movement.

Velocity

A kinematic measure describing the rate of change of an objects position with respect to time.

Acceleration

A kinematic measure that describes change in velocity during movements.

Kinetics

The study of the role of force as a cause of motion.

Electromyography (EMG)

A measurement technique that records the electrical activity of a muscle or group of muscles.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

The recording of brain activity by the detection of electrical activity in specific areas on the surface of the cortex by several surface electrodes placed on a persons scalp.

Research and measurement in motor behavior

General research terms

Research

Experiment

Data

Research

Finding solutions to problems

Experiment

A scientific procedure where variables are manipulate and then measurements on other variables are taken.

Data

Factual information obtained by measurement in an experiment.

Contrasting research terms

Population

Sample

Contrasting research terms

Independent variable

Dependent variable

Contrasting research terms

Experimental group

Control group

Contrasting research terms

Null hypothesis

Research hypothesis

Contrasting research terms

Internal validity

External validity

Contrasting research terms

Basic research

Applied research

Population

All members within a defined group.

Sample

A part or subgroup of a population.

Independent variable

Variable that is manipulated by intentionally changing its characteristics in an experiment.

The variable of interest.

Dependent variable

Variable that is measured in an experiment.

The effect of the independent variable.

Experimental group

Participants in an experiment who are exposed to the critical level(s) of the independent variable.

Control group

Participants in an experiment who are treated exactly the same as the experimental group except that the group is not exposed to the critical level(s) of the independent variable.

Null hypothesis

Hypothesis stating that there is no significant difference between groups.

Research hypothesis

Hypothesis stating that there is a significant difference between groups.

Hypothesis deducted from theory or induced from empirical studies that is based on logical reasoning and is predictive of the outcome of the study.

Internal validity

The degree to which the manipulation of the independent variable truly accounts for the changes observed by the experimenter.

External validity

The degree to which the results of an experiment are generalizable.

Basic research

Research in which the goal is to develop knowledge for having implications for expanding theory.

Applied research

Research in which the goal is to develop knowledge that can answer an immediate and specific problem.

Characteristics of basic research

Deals with theoretical issues

Animal participants

Conducted in laboratories

Carefully controlled

Results lack application

Characteristics of applied research

Answer immediate problems

Human participants

Conducted in real-world settings

Lacks control

Results directly useful

Performance outcome measures are measures that

indicate the outcome or result of performing a motor skill.

Performance outcome measures do not tell us about

behavior of limbs or body that led to outcome.

Performance outcome measures do not provide

information about activity of various muscles involved.

Speed measures

Reaction time (RT)

Movement time (MT)

Response time

Reaction time interval components

Premotor time (PRMOT)

Motor time (MOT)

Premotor time

Quiet interval of time between onset of stimulus and beginning of activity.

Motor time

Period from increase in muscle activity until actual limb movement.

Types of reaction time

Simple RT

Choice RT

Discrimination RT

One-dimensional error measures

Absolute error (AE)

Constant error (CE)

Absolute constant error (|CE|)

Variable error (VE)

Total variability (E)

Absolute error (AE) is the

overall error

Constant error (CE) is the

response bias

Absolute constant error (|CE|) is the

response bias

Variable error (VE) is the

response consistency

Total variability (E) is the

overall accuracy

Two-dimensional error measures

Mean radial error (MRE)

Group centroid radial error (GRE)

Bivariate variable error (BVE)

Mean radial error (MRE) is similar to

absolute error (AE)

Group centroid radial error (GRE) is similar to

absolute constant error (|CE|)

Bivariate variable error (BVE) is similar to

variable error (VE)

Performance production measures are measures that

indicate the performance of specific aspects of the motor control system during the performance of an action.

Kinematic measures

Refers to descriptors of motion without concern for cause of motion.

Displacement, velocity, and acceleration all fall under

kinematic measures.

Kinetic measures and EMG measures fall under

performance production measures.

EMG measures

Movement involving electrical activity in muscles.

Electrodes detect muscle activity.

Recordings can indicate when a muscle begins and ends activation.