ch 8b- motor learning pt. 2 Flashcards
transfer of learning refers to
the influence of past learning on performance of that skill in a new context
Why is transfer of learning important?
-skills need to be performed in different environments
-rehabilitation
-assessing effectiveness of practice conditions
Factors that influence transfer of learning
–>Sequencing skills to be learned
(need to learn basic skills before more complex skills)
–>Instructional methods
(teach part of skill before practicing whole skill)
–>Fear, arousal, anxiety levels
(practice conditions are different than performance conditions; simulate performance conditions when practicing)
Positive transfer of learning
previous experience helps with learning a new skill
when does positive transfer of learning occur?
- Characteristics of both skills are similar
- Similar problem solving required
- Similar performance environments
Bilateral transfer
transfer of information that happens between two limbs
Bilateral transfer: why might it be easier to learn with one limb after we have learned it with the other first?
-learn to perform skill in a non-limb-specific way
-apply previously acquired knowledge of practice from one limb to the other limb
Negative transfer of learning
previous experience interferes with performance of a new skill
(ex. interference)
Why does negative transfer of learning occur?
-environmental context is similar but movement characteristics are different
(ex. forehand in tennis vs. forehand in badminton)
-difficulty mapping for a skill that has already developed in a certain way
-initial “cognitive confusion”
People with stroke usually walk…
asymmetrically because of impairment of one leg
-person is “limping”
How can the walking asymmetry be corrected using a split-belt treadmill?
-therapist would set the treadmill belt speeds to encourage the person to adapt their walking pattern (exaggerate the step length asymmetry)
-aftereffect= transfer to the overground (anywhere that is not a treadmill)
What does the experiment about split-belt treadmill walking conclude?
people can transfer learning on the split-belt treadmill to overground walking
What are some factors to consider (as a demonstrator) when teaching a new skill to a learner?
–> demonstrator should perform skill correctly
–> novices benefit from observing other novices
(can see mistakes, learn by problem solving)
–> demonstrating is best when novices must learn new invariant features; new pattern of coordination
Force field perturbation:
(example evidence of observational learning)
What was the task?
-centre-out movements towards 8 targets arranged in a circle
-reached with a mechanical joystick to targets
-a clockwise (CW) force was applied to the arm during an adaptation phase
Force field perturbation:
after familiarization with the task in a zero force field, what 3 groups were participants divided up into?
- CW observation= observed videos of someone using the CW force field; same as experiment
- No observation= no videos before having to adapt to the force field
- CCW force field adaptation= observed videos of someone using the CCW force field (opposite to the one they would have to adapt to)
What were the results of this observational learning force field perturbation experiment?
-CW observation group had improved performance compared to no observation/control group
-CCW observation group had a decreased performance compared to no observation/control group
What do the results of the observational learning force field perturbation experiment suggest?
That participants can acquire a neural representation of a new force environment through observational learning
Describe the optimal timing of demonstrating a motor skill to a learner
demonstrate BEFORE a learner begins practicing and
demonstrate PERIODICALLY (interspersed) during the learners practice
Describe how mirror neurons are involved in movements and learning movements
mirror neurons discharge during active movements AND when observing other people do the same movement
Neural basis for observational learning
mirror neuron system of the brain
Mirror neurons- how do they change for different activities?
The discharge activity changes when the activity is different
Monkey grasps object to eat and monkey watches human grasp object to eat
- what is the discharge activity of mirror neurons
the same
Monkey grasps object to eat and monkey grasps object to place
-discharge activity of mirror neurons
different
(different actions)
Monkey grasps object to place, monkey watched human grasp object to eat
-discharge activity of mirror neurons
different
(different actions)
Mirror neurons also encode the
spatial position of an observed action
Some neurons encode observed actions made in – and – space
peri-personal space= reachable space
extra-personal space= can’t reach without moving your body
What are some factors to consider for motor learning when giving verbal instructions?
-amount of info given should consider the learner’s attention capacity and skill level
-can direct a learner to certain aspects of the motor skill (and influence how they practice)
-too much info= bad
Discovery learning
have to learn what to do rather than receiving verbal instructions
Example of discovery learning:
ski-slalom simulator study
Group given detailed instruction= worse performance
Group not given instruction= better performance (discovery learning)
Feedback related to motor learning
2 categories
- Task-intrinsic (sensory)
- Augmented feedback
Task-intrinsic feedback/sensory feedback
Visual, somatosensory, vestibular, auditory
Augmented feedback (or task-extrinsic feedback))
Knowledge of results (KR)
Knowledge of performance (KP)
Knowledge of Results
information about the outcome of performing a skill or about achieving the goal of the performance
Ex. was the goal achieved? “yes” or “no”
Knowledge of Performance
Information about the movement characteristics that led to the performance outcome
Ex. video replay of game footage or verbal info
Give an example of what a physical therapist may say to provide KR and KP info to a patient with regards to their walking performance
KR= “you walked 5m more than yesterday”
KP= “you need to bend your kneed more when you walk”
What is the role of augmented feedback?
to facilitate the success of the motor skill, allow the learner to determine if they are performing appropriately, motivate the learner to continue to reach goal
What kind of situation would not require augmented feedback?
- When a learner already has sensory feedback about the outcome of the movement (can see if the basketball went in the hoop)
- When the learner depends on KP and KR too much
When is KR beneficial?
-to confirm assessments of task-intrinsic (sensory) feedback
-when learner can’t determine outcome (ex. can’t see result)
-motivation
-when you want learners to problem solve through trial and error
When is KP beneficial?
-motor skills require specific movement characteristics
-highly coordinated movement components of a skill need to be improved
-when KR is redundant w sensory feedback (vision is used to determine that target was missed but no info on how to correct the error)
Performing a one hand basketball shot w non-dominant hand. What will get the best results:
-verbal KP
-verbal encouragement
verbal KP
-info about errors in stance and limb movement will improve performance
When is augmented feedback essential?
-when sensory feedback is not available
-injury or disease that makes sensory feedback less reliable
-when person can’t use sensory feedback because they lack experience with skill/can’t identify errors
What should augmented feedback consist of?
-errors/correct
-qualititive/quanitative
- Providing info about errors is more effective than info about correct components
- Qualitative info (non numerical) is better in the early stages of learning; easier to make approximations than to focus on fine details
- Quantitative info is better overall
- No erroneous feedback
Types of KP (4)
- Verbal KP
- Video recording
- Movement kinematics
- Biofeedback