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)