Motor Learning Flashcards
Differentiate between motor control and motor learning.
Motor control focuses on understanding how already acquired movements are controlled, while motor learning focuses on understanding the acquisition and modification of new movements.
What are the four key concepts embedded in the definition of motor learning?
The four concepts are: (a) learning involves acquiring the capability for skilled action, (b) learning results from experience or practice, (c) learning is inferred from behaviour and cannot be directly measured, and (d) learning leads to relatively permanent changes in behaviour.
Describe habituation and its clinical application.
Habituation is a decrease in responsiveness resulting from repeated exposure to a nonpainful stimulus. Clinically, it’s used to treat dizziness in patients with certain types of vestibular dysfunction.
Provide an example of how operant conditioning can be used in a therapeutic setting.
A therapist can use operant conditioning by providing verbal praise for a patient’s successful completion of a task. This positive reinforcement encourages the repetition of the desired behaviour.
What is the main characteristic of procedural learning, and how does it differ from declarative learning?
Procedural learning involves learning tasks that can be performed automatically without conscious thought, like a habit. It differs from declarative learning, which results in knowledge that can be consciously recalled and expressed.
Explain the concept of a “schema” in the context of Schmidt’s Schema Theory.
In Schmidt’s Schema Theory, a “schema” is an abstract representation stored in memory after repeated exposure to a class of objects or actions. It acts as a set of rules for performing a movement, allowing for generalization and adaptation.
According to the Ecological Theory, how does the concept of “regulatory cues” contribute to motor learning?
Regulatory cues are perceptual cues that are crucial to the execution of a task. According to the Ecological Theory, identifying and utilizing these cues effectively is essential for optimal motor learning.
What are the key features that distinguish the three stages of learning in Fitts and Posner’s model?
The three stages in Fitts and Posner’s model are: (1) cognitive stage – high cognitive activity and attention required to understand the task, (2) associative stage – refinement of the selected strategy, and (3) autonomous stage – automaticity of skill and reduced attentional demands.
How does Bernstein’s Systems Three-Stage Model explain the role of degrees of freedom in motor learning?
Bernstein’s Systems Three-Stage Model suggests that learners initially constrain degrees of freedom to simplify the movement (novice stage). As they progress, they gradually release degrees of freedom for greater efficiency and adaptability (advanced and expert stages).
Explain the concept of “contextual interference” and its potential benefits for motor learning.
Contextual interference refers to the phenomenon where introducing variability and randomness during practice, while initially making the task more difficult, ultimately leads to enhanced learning and retention.
