Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Previous studies using the precuing paradigm to determine the advanced programming of movements have required subjects to perform in conditions with high probability of movement. This study determined how two levels of response probability affected the advanced programming of movements. Eight subjects participated in four consecutive days of testing under both high (100%) probability and low (50%) probability of executing movement. A precue paradigm was employed for each probability. Subjects received advance directional information (movement right or left) in the precued conditions and no advanced information in the noncued conditions. Test trials were performed utilizing the precue paradigm to determine the degree to which information would be preprogrammed when the probability of executing a response varied. Analysis indicated that subjects utilized advanced information in both conditions. When performing under high probability, individuals benefitted more from the precue than when performing under low probability.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Goodman

Kelso

J. A. S.

Are movements prepared in parts? Not under compatible (naturalized) conditions. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1980, 109, 475–495.

Hick

W. E.

On the rate gain of information. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1952, 4, 11–26.

Keele

S. W.

Movement control in skilled motor performance. Psychological Bulletin, 1968, 70, 387–405.

Keele

S. W.

Summers

J. J.

The structure of motor programs. In Stelmach

G. E.

(Ed.), Motor control: Issues and trends. New York: Academic Press, 1976. Pp. 109–142.

Kerr

Evaluating task factors that influence selection and preparation for voluntary movements. In Stelmach

G. E.

(Ed.), Information processing in motor control and learning. New York: Academic Press, 1978. Pp. 55–69.

Klapp

S. T.

Erwin

C. I.

Relation between programming time and the duration of the response to be programmed. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 1976, 2, 591–598.

Quinn

J. T.

Schmidt

R. A.

Zelaznik

H. A.

Hawkins

McFarquar

Target-size influences on reaction time with movement time controlled. Journal of Motor Behavior, 1980, 12, 239–261.

Rosenbaum

D. A.

Human movement initiation: Specification of arm, direction, and extent. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1980, 109, 444–474.

Rosenbaum

D. A.

The movement precuing technique: Assumptions, applications, and extensions. In Magill

R. A.

(Ed.), Memory and control of action. New York: North-Holland, 1983 Pp. 231–274.

10.

Schmidt

R. A.

Motor control and learning. New York: Human Kinetics Publ., 1982.

11.

Stelmach

C. E.

Larish

D. D.

On the relationship between response organization processes and response programming. Technical Report, Motor Behavior Laboratory, Univer. of Wisconsin, Madison, 1980.

Effects of Response Probability on Advanced Programming of Movements

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References