Introduction to Motor Behavior

Question 1

The motor development of an infant normally progresses in what direction?

Answer 1

1) heat to toe

2) core to limbs

Question 2

Do all individuals develop motor skills in the same way?

Answer 2

No, development is similar but still varies across individuals

Question 3

Is motor development related to other learning domains?

Answer 3

Yes, normally it precedes and supports cognitive and affective development.

Question 4

what are affective skills?

Answer 4

social skills/interpersonal skills

Question 5

what are cognitive skills?

Answer 5

thinking skills

Question 6

what years are considered of “landmark” significance for proper development of motor skills needed for work and play as adults?

Answer 6

2 to 7

Question 7

Is there any way to predict when a person will develop various motor skills?

Answer 7

Yes, we can make reasonably accurate predictions. Skills are developed on a similar (not identical) timeline and there is an orderly progression that generally holds true.

Question 8

Are there some individuals who cannot learn motor skills?

Answer 8

No. Everyone can improve, to some degree, motor capabilities through practice.

Question 9

What are reflexes?

Answer 9

involuntary movement of skeletal muscles

Question 10

Why does anyone care about reflexes?

Answer 10

1) They serve as a foundation for future acquisition of voluntary movement.
2) They indicate whether or not the central nervous system is functioning correctly.

Question 11

What age would a child typically begin to walk?

Answer 11

1 year

Question 12

What age would a child typically begin to run?

Answer 12

1.5 years

Question 13

What age would a child typically begin to skip?

Answer 13

5 years

Question 14

Once a child learns a basic locomotor skill, how long before they can perform that skill with mature form?

Answer 14

Normally, about 1 to 5 years. However, with no practice, they may never learn mature form. (think of adults you know who “throw funny” or cannot catch.

Question 15

What is the general age in which most children start to be able to jump/leap/hop

Answer 15

3 years old

Question 16

What are the phases of motor learner as defined by Fitts and Posner?

Answer 16

Cognitive - inconsistent, unrythmical, requires full attention
Associative - more purposeful and consistent. Able to focus on key aspects of skill and self correct some errors.
Autonomous - coordinated and extremely consistent. Able to attend to multiple other functions at the same time.

Question 17

Is shuffling a deck of cards is a gross or fine motor skill?

Answer 17

fine - it uses few small muscle groups. only the hands are moving.

Question 18

What is an example of a gross motor skill?

Answer 18

Tackling in football, driving a stake with a sledge hammer. Anything using large groups of muscles.

Question 19

Can all skills can be classified as fine or gross?

Answer 19

no - this is a continuum classification system.

Question 20

Can all skills can be classified as open or closed?

Answer 20

no - this is a continuum classification system.

Question 21

Are these skills discrete or continuous: shooting a basketball and catching a fly ball?

Answer 21

discrete - clear beginning and end

Question 22

When several discrete skills are linked together, wee call it a _____________ skill.

Answer 22

serial

Question 23

Is running an open or closed skill?

Answer 23

It depends.
If running 50 meters on a track, it is more closed. If running cross country over changing landscape and jockeying for position with other racers, it is more open.