An Experimental Paradigm for Analyzing Human Information Processing During Motor Control Tasks

Abstract

This paper outlines an experimental paradigm as an alternative to the classical paradigm by Fitts (1954). It is pointed out that Fitts’ paradigm is based on some inappropriate assumptions and analogies invalidating its information-theoretic foundation. The new paradigm, which has more general applicability than Fitts’, uses some informational statistics that are claimed to be rigorous and based on only a few weak assumptions that can also be tested empirically. Emphasis is placed on the utility of the new paradigm for analyzing the speed-accuracy tradeoff characteristics using some simple and concise functional relationships. Finally, a method is outlined whereby this paradigm may be implemented on a digitizer-microcomputer unit making the data acquisition and analysis into a fully automated process.

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