Deck 5: Motor Control Theories

Question 1

According to a dynamical systems view of motor control, skilled action occurs on the basis of action units:

A) Acting according to motor program commands
B) Receiving commands from a control executive
C) Receiving feedback as movement occurs
D) Self organizing

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The dynamical systems theory indicates that skilled action is controlled by the nervous system constraining functionally specific collectives of muscles and joints, which are known as:

A) Coordinative structures
B) Degrees of freedom
C) Generalized motor programs
D) Motor units

Answer 2

A

Question 3

An important coordination-related problem that a theory of motor control must provide a solution for is the ________ problem.

Answer 3

degrees of freedom

Question 4

The degrees of freedom problem, which the nervous system must solve so that a person can achieve the action goal of a complex motor skill, involves determining:

A) If an open-loop or closed-loop system is needed to control the action
B) The amount of force needed to achieve an action goal
C) The organization of muscles, limbs, and joints needed to achieve an action goal
D) Which environmental cues are relevant for performing the skill

Question 5

Which of the following types of motor control theories emphasizes the role of a memory representation in the control of coordinated action?

A) Chaos theories
B) Dynamical systems theories
C) Motor program theories
D) All of these

Question 6

According to dynamical systems theory, the speed at which an action is performed is an example of:

A) A control parameter
B) An order parameter
C) An organizational variable
D) A stable state

Question 7

A good example of a "self-organizing system" is a:

A) Computer
B) DVR programmed to record a TV program at a specific time
C) Hurricane
D) Thermostat-based control system for heating and cooling a house

Question 8

The action of throwing a dart at a dartboard is an example of a motor skill that is controlled by:

A) A closed-loop control system
B) An open-loop control system
C) Both open-loop and closed-loop control systems
D) Feedback

Question 9

Dynamical systems theories of motor control view the control of complex coordinated action from the perspective of ________ dynamics.

Question 10

According to Schmidt's motor program-based theory of movement control, relative timing is a(n) ________ of a generalized motor program (GMP).

Question 11

The affordance concept suggests that we:

A) Perceive the environment with respect to the elementary properties of objects, surfaces, and people
B) Perceive the environment relative to our own characteristics (e.g., height, leg length, etc.)
C) Perceive the environment in terms of possibilities for action
D) Both b. and c.

Question 12

In dynamical systems terminology, an attractor refers to a:

A) Complex movement
B) Motor program
C) Movement pattern stable state
D) State of coordination instability

Question 13

According to Schmidt's motor program-based theory of motor control, which of the following would be controlled by the same generalized motor program (GMP)?

A) Hitting a golf ball and hitting a pitched baseball
B) Throwing a ball overhand and underhand
C) Using either hand to reach for and grasp an object
D) Walking and running

Question 14

In Shapiro and others' experiment on relative timing patterns in walking and running, a motor program-based theory of motor control would conclude that:

A) A motor program type of control mechanism does not control walking or running
B) Both walking and running are controlled by the same GMP
C) Each of the various speeds of walking and running is controlled by its own GMP
D) One GMP controls walking and a different GMP controls running

Question 15

According to Schmidt's motor program-based theory of motor control, the mechanism primarily responsible for the control of coordinated movement controls:

A) A class of actions
B) All actions involving limbs on the same side
C) All actions involving the same limb
D) Specific movements

Question 16

Coordination should be considered in terms of body and limb movement patterns in relation to:

A) How the body and limb movement patterns can self-organize
B) Patterns of environmental objects and events
C) The characteristics of open- and closed-loop control systems
D) The invariant features of a generalized motor program

Question 17

An important difference between the open- and closed-loop control systems is that the:

A) Closed-loop system involves feedback; the open-loop system does not
B) Open-loop system involves feedback; the closed-loop system does not
C) Closed-loop system involves movement instructions; the open-loop system does not
D) Open-loop system involves movement instructions; the closed-loop system does not

Question 18

According to the dynamical systems theory, which of the following define, or identify, a specific movement pattern?

A) Control parameters
B) Movement duration
C) Order parameters
D) Relative timing

Question 19

Cruise-control systems in cars are mechanical examples of ______ control systems.

Question 20

The world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking stated that which of the following should describe a large class of observations and accurately predict the results of future observations?

A) Hypothesis
B) Model
C) Schema
D) Theory

Question 21

A traffic signal that is preset to cycle through the time sequences for the onset of the green-yellow-red light sequence is a mechanical example of an open-loop control system.

Question 22

According to the perception-action coupling literature, the reciprocal fit between the characteristics of a person and the characteristics of the environment that permit specific actions, such as stairs having the physical characteristics to permit stair climbing, are referred to as _____________.

Question 23

When we consider the assessment of movement characteristics associated with the performance of a skill, it is necessary to use the term coordination to refer to the relationship among the joints and segments at any specific point in time during the skill performance.

Question 24

Coordinative structures can develop through practice.

Question 25

An example of an invariant feature of a generalized motor program (GMP) is the overall speed involved in performing a skill.

Question 26

That people spontaneously change from a walking to a running coordination pattern at a certain speed demonstrates that patterns of movement coordination can self-organize.

Question 27

Perception-action coupling is an essential element in accounting for the motor control of open motor skills such as catching a thrown ball.

Question 28

According to a dynamical systems theory, the muscles and joints that act together to enable a person to reach and grasp a cup are known as a ________.

Question 29

Dynamical systems theory de-emphasizes the role of executive commands to the musculature and emphasizes the role of the ______ properties of the body and limbs.

Question 30

Schmidt's Schema Theory is an example of a "central" theory of motor control because it emphasizes the role played by performance environment characteristics.

Question 31

You perform a four-component movement in 10 sec, and then in 20 sec. If relative time is invariant, and component 1 takes 2.5 sec for the 10-sec movement time, component 1 would require ______ sec for the 20-sec movement time.

Question 32

According to the dynamical systems theory, walking and running represent two distinct ________ states of coordination.