Chapter 2 - Theoretical Perspectives In Motor Dev

Question 1

Explain the information processing perspective

Answer 1

Md driven by external process = nurture

Brain acts as PC and the passive brain responds to stim in enviro and how well they respond directly relates to how well nurtured

Input - coding - process - feedback

Process of ML , MD described in learning in terms of operations occurring as result of external / enviro input

Question 2

Explain the Ecological theory ( 3 parts)

Answer 2

Stress relationship bw indiv and enviro and task. NB multiple system. Need to understand / consider all constraints to understand emergence of motor skills. Many constraints / systems exist both in and out of body when observing dev of motor skills across life span

• Dynamical system = organization physical and chem systems constraints behaviour
  -> structural organization of body encourage and constraints
  -> coord behaviour = softly assembled rather than hard wired leads to incr. adaptability
  -> process of spontaneous Self organization of body systems
  -> body systems dev at diff rates = Rate limiter / Controller = indiv constraint / system holds back / slows emergence of specific motor skill
  1 constant = md and physical growth
  2 plateau then sharp incr. = physiological maturation/ growth spurts/ hormones
  3 advance gradually and continuously
  4 alternatively advances and plateau instep like manner = motor control
• perception action = close interrelationship bw perception and motor systems evolved together

-> affordance = function of enviro object provides to indiv
~ chars define obj meaning
~ obj function based on indiv intrinsic dimensions rather than obj extrinsic dimensions
~ person perceives function based on persons structural constraints
-> body scaling = process of changing dimensions of enviro / obj IRT structural constraints of performer. Represents interaction bw indiv and task constraints

Question 3

Explain the maturational perspective

Answer 3

Motor dev driven by maturation of systems = nature

• CNS focused
• md is innate process driven by biological or genetic time clock
• enviro may speed up/ slow process of change but not biologically determined

Minimal influence of enviro
Chars of motor dev
- qualitative = how well skills dev
- Gessel = maturation is process controlle by int. rather than ext. factors and enviro would temporarily dev, children dev in orderly fashion
- myrtle McGraw = used twins to examine influence of enhanced md experience