Module 5 Flashcards
Generalized Motor Program
Theory that states movements can be varied along certain dimensions
Motor Programs
Pre-made set of movement commands that defines and shapes the movement
What are the two parts of an open loop control system?
Executive
Effector
What does the open loop control system not have?
Feedback or comparator mechanisms to determine system errors
Process of the open loop control system
Input
Executive
Effector
Output
How long is the open loop control system “over”?
Until the executive is activated again
What is the open loop control system not sensitive to?
Whether or not the output produced in the environment was effective in meeting the goal
Characteristics of open loop control system
Effective as long as things go as expected
Inflexible
In situations that do not have high demand in modifications
When are open loop control systems important?
In a predictable and stable environment
When does the feedback process dominate control?
In very slow movements
When do open loop portions dominate control?
Very fast and brief movements
What kind of motor behavior is typical in most tasks?
Complex blend of open and closed
Programmed Action
Appears to be organized in advance
Happens without much change from sensory feedback
Central Movement Organization
Movement details are determined by CNS and sent to muscles
Not controlled by peripheral processing
Does not involve feedback
Reaction Time Evidence for Motor Programs
Processing not natural
More info = slower RT
What does RT determine?
Slowness of the stimulation of S.I. and R.S
What happens when more limbs are included?
Reaction time increases
Why is RT sometimes longer?
More time is needed to organize the motor system before the initiation of an action
Startled Reactions
RT can be dramatically shortened under certain conditions
Movements are initiated much faster than can be accounted for by a voluntary response to a stimulus
How does one hasten the release of a startle response?
Speeding up the executive’s processing
Bypassing the executive altogether
Both
Deafferentation
Cutting an animal’s afferent nerve bundles where they enter the cord making the CNS unable to receive info from some portion of the periphery (no sensory)
What is not affected by deafferentation?
Motor pathways because they pass through the uncut ventral side of the cord
Example of deafferentation
Monkeys with cut nerve bundles are still able to physically move around (climb, chase, jump, groom), but cannot successfully complete fine motor control tasks
What happens if a movement is quick enough?
The motor program controls the entire action
What does deafferentation support?
The idea that movements can be organized centrally in motor programs
Why was the central pattern generator developed?
To explain certain features of locomotion in animals
Where is genetically defined central organization established?
Brainstem or spinal cord
What does the central pattern generator produce?
Commands to the musculature when initiated by a brief triggering stimulus from brain and they still occur if sensory nerves are cut
What does the central pattern generator involve?
More genetically-defined activities