theories of motor development

theory of neuromaturation

CNS primary driving force of developmental change

things went reflexive then functional because nervous system mature over time

reflexes are important!

according to theory of neuromaturation the presence of reflexes meant

the nervous system was intact

only at brainstem though

after more research it was suggested that the stepping reflex was :

not governed by CNS maturation but by environmental factors

dynamic systems theory

each system can influence development

systems working together

freeze degrees of freedom

dynamic systems theory rules

• organisms are complex systems composed of many elements

• movement emerges in a self organizing way

• behavior is determined and softly assembled

• developmental changes occur through trial and error

• cognition is inseparable from the body

new skills require

freezing degrees of freedom until good enough at the skill

feed forward mechanism

gives information about your body before you move

feedback mechanism

what happens when you start moving

making micro changes during movement

organization is based on

affordances (positive features) and constraints (negative features)

movement patterns are

flexible and influenced by changes to subsystems

attractor wells

practiced patterns used most frequently

deep attractor well

movements used most

difficult to change

shallow attractor well

movements not used much

easy to change

theory of neuronal group selection

structure of brain

have to have lots of variable movements

primary and secondary repertoire

neuronal groups are loosely formed at first through

evolutionary epigenesis but are changed through experiences

primary repertoire

primary set of movements when born

not goal-oriented

secondary repertoire

movements that are repeated and strengthened

connections between neuronal groups create

variation

ecological theory

cues are needed to help with experience

practice has to be varied

knowledge of performance

feedback during the movement

knowledge of results

feedback after the movement