Motor Behavior Research Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of motor learning within the context of motor behavior?

The neural aspects of movement control

The acquisition of skilled movements through practice (correct)

The environmental effects on motor function

The developmental view of motor behavior across the lifespan

What does motor control primarily emphasize in motor behavior?

Variability in feedback during practice

The impact of aging on motor skill performance

The neural and physical aspects of movement execution (correct)

The cognitive processes involved in learning

Which of the following is NOT a goal of motor behavior research?

To analyze the efficiency of cognitive processes (correct)

To improve motor skill learning in youth

To understand the environmental factors affecting motor skills

To design interventions for motor skill deterioration in aging

How does motor development differ from motor learning?

It examines the changes in motor learning and control throughout life Signup and view all the answers

What role does feedback play in motor learning?

It plays a critical role in improving learning and performance Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key factors that can affect motor skill execution according to motor behavior principles?

Environmental conditions such as noise Signup and view all the answers

Why is the study of motor behavior valuable to practitioners such as coaches and physical therapists?

It guides effective learning strategies and practice environments Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of motor behavior is influenced by aging?

Deterioration of motor skill learning and control Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the five themes that have persisted in motor behavior research?

Practice variability Signup and view all the answers

During which historical period did significant research on how children acquire motor skills occur?

1940s-1960s Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the study of movement outcomes rather than the process of movement in novel learning tasks?

Product assessment Signup and view all the answers

Which research method involves experimental designs that do not implement a treatment for participants?

Descriptive Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of motor behavior focuses on the effects of physical growth on performance?

Growth influences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities is an example of motor movement beyond sport?

A pilot learning to fly a plane Signup and view all the answers

Which researcher is noted as the father of motor behavior and introduced the memory drum theory?

Franklin Henry Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic that differentiates continuous movement tasks from discrete movement tasks?

Discrete tasks are performed in a single movement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of studying expert performers in sports?

To understand decision making and skills Signup and view all the answers

What does the information processing model suggest about the brain's role in motor behavior?

The brain acts as a master controller for movements Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which element is NOT considered crucial before practice begins?

Feedback from others Signup and view all the answers

What does the dynamical systems theory suggest regarding the relationship between perception and action?

It suggests a direct link exists, avoiding motor programs Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that differentiates skill acquisition variables from performance variables?

Skill acquisition relates to the learning process, while performance relates to execution Signup and view all the answers

What is highlighted as a necessary condition for effective learning?

Practice combined with known results Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of motor programs according to the discussed theories?

They act as memory mechanisms for movement control Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding motor control important for professionals in physical education and related fields?

It can help clarify complex motor behavior issues Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Motor Behavior Goals

Motor behavior researchers want to understand how motor skills are learned, controlled, and how these skills develop across a lifespan.

Subdisciplines of Motor Behavior

Motor learning: the acquisition of skilled movements as a result of practice.
Motor control: the neural, physical, and behavioral aspects of movement.
Motor development: a developmental view of motor learning and motor control across a life span.

Why Study Motor Behavior?

Motor behavior helps us understand how motor skills are learned, controlled, and developed.
The study focuses on "what, how, and how much" to practice.
It guides us in creating better learning and practice settings, selecting effective cues, and providing feedback.
Motor behavior is valuable to performers and those who teach motor skills, such as physical education teachers, coaches, therapists, and gerontologists.

What Do Motor Behaviorists Do?

Motor behaviorists work in colleges and universities, conducting research, teaching, and offering service-related activities.
They also work in research facilities like hospitals, industry, and the military.

Examples of Motor Movements Beyond Sport

Babies learning to use a fork and spoon.
Dentists learning to control a drill while looking in a mirror.
Surgeons controlling a scalpel.
Children learning to ride a bicycle or to roller skate.
Teenagers learning to drive.
Dancers performing choreographed movements.
Pilots learning to control an airplane.
Children learning to control a pencil or type on a keyboard.

History of Motor Behavior

The study of motor behavior has been influenced by five key themes: knowledge of results (feedback), distribution of practice, transfer of training, retention, and individual differences.

History of Motor Behavior: 1800s-1960s

Late 1800s to early 1900s: Researchers studied motor skills to understand cognition and neural control.
1939-1945: World War II led to increased research interest in motor behavior due to the need to improve military performance.
1940s-1960s: Focus on how children acquire motor skills.

History of Motor Behavior: 1960s-Present

1960s:
- Memory drum theory was introduced by Franklin Henry, considered the father of motor behavior.
- Motor behavior became recognized as a subdiscipline of kinesiology.
1970s-Present:
- Research focused on the influence of growth and maturation on motor development and the developmental patterns of fundamental movements.

Research Methods in Motor Behavior

Types of studies:
- Between-group designs.
- Within-group designs.
- Descriptive designs, where participants receive no treatment.
Studying the early stages of learning: Focuses on novel tasks that participants have never attempted before.
Studying expert performers: Analyzes what expert performers do during practice and competition and how it differs from novice performance.
Measuring movements: Using kinematic analysis to study movement patterns.
Movement task characteristics: Categorizing tasks as continuous or discrete.
Measuring learning and transfer: Examining retention and transfer through various tests.

Novel Learning Tasks

Novel learning tasks ensure participants have no prior experience with the task.
These tasks are generally simple and allow researchers to study improvement and learning processes.
This approach primarily analyzes the outcome of the movement (the product) rather than the nature of the movement (the process).

Studying Expert Performers

This alternative to studying novel tasks focuses on expert performers' practice and competition strategies.
Researchers compare expert performance to novice performance to understand how learning occurs across different skill levels.

Overview of Knowledge in Motor Behavior

Information processing: This concept views the brain as a computer-like system, with information processed through a series of stages.
The brain is conceptualized as the central processing unit (CPU), sending commands through the spinal cord (wiring) to muscles and muscle groups (printer, screen).

Motor learning:

Focuses on understanding the role of practice, feedback (intrinsic and extrinsic), and individual differences in skill acquisition.
Practice and feedback are crucial for motor learning; however, practice alone is not enough to guarantee learning.

Motor Control

Addresses the neural, physical, and behavioral aspects of movement control.
Motor Program Theory: Proposed memory mechanisms that allow movements to be controlled.
Dynamical Systems Theory: Challenges the motor program theory, suggesting that a more direct link exists between perception and action, bypassing the need for motor programs.

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Description

Explore the fascinating field of motor behavior, which examines how motor skills are learned, controlled, and developed throughout life. This quiz will cover the subdisciplines of motor learning, control, and development, offering insights into their significance for educators, coaches, and therapists. Increase your understanding of the processes that enable effective practice and teaching of motor skills.