Methodology
Which of the following is INNATE: A skill or an ability?
An ability
As complexity of task increases, reaction time....
Increases.
The more complex something is, the longer the reaction time would be to it
Is walking automatic?
NO! why?
Which carries sensory information to the brain: Ascending tracts or Descending tracts?
Ascending tracts
True or False: To calculate constant error, you must take the average of all positive numbers only
FALSE
Constant error is the average DIRECTIONAL error; it's an indication of deviation from target. You must take the average of ALL numbers, including negatives, because we take direction into account
EX; Throwing several darts in the same place towards the right
True or False: A short-term memory store will hold massive amounts of information but only for brief periods of time (less than 1 second)
True!
Retained just long enough to be transferred to short term memory
Which is more effective: adopting an external focus or an internal focus
External focus
Which lobe is the primary auditory cortex located in?
Temporal lobe
Interval of time between onset of a signal (stimulus) and the initiation of the response to it
Example: Observing a stop sign, initiating moving foot off gas pedal.
The extent to which a stimulus and its required responses are naturally related
Ex: A stop sign being the color green
What is perceptual narrowing and why is it an issue?
It is a reduced cue utilization. Occurs when in high arousal / anxious and can reduce performance because you are unable to take in stimuli
Explain the size principle in motor unit recruitment
Smaller units innervating fewer muscle fibers are activated first
As force output requirements increase....
-motor units increase their firing rate
-more motor units are recruited
Which represents a peripheral process in fractionated reaction time: Premotor Reaction Time or Motor Reaction time?
Motor Reaction Time
Interval from first change in muscle activity to movement initiation. It is the peripheral process that receives the command for the muscle to contract. And there is a time lag because the the muscle realizes it needs to overcome inertia of limb (get it from not moving to moved)
Which of the following shows the proper sequence of the psychological refractory period:
Real Stimulus-> False Stimulus ->PRP-> Response
False Stimulus -> Real Stimulus -> PRP-> Response
PRP-> False Stimulus-> Real Stimulus -> Response
False Stimulus -> Real Stimulus -> PRP - Response
-delay to react to the true stimulus
Provide an example of a task that would be:
1. simple, gross
2. complex, fine
1. Deadlifting a heavy weight
2. Playing piano
... Arousal levels?
Explain the function of interneurons
Neurons within the central nervous system that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs, transferring signals between them
Explain the difference between an EEG and an f-MRI. Which one works with timing and which one works with location?
EEG: Electroencephalography. High temporal resolution (detects timing of electrical activity in brain) -> TIMING
f-MRI: Functional Magnetic Resolution Imaging. High spatial resolution (measured while someone is performing a task, displays which parts of the brain are being stimulated) -> LOCATION
Name all 5 additional factors that affect reaction time
2. Aging (slows choice reaction time)
3. Neural compromise (an injury or syndrome such as down syndrome)
4. Motor Set vs. Sensory Set (faster)
ex: sensory is waiting for gunshot and motor is thinking about what your body would do
4. Experience (improves anticipation and CRT)
Provide an example of a broad, internal focus
A feel of the full golf swing
Explain what upper motor neurons do
Upper motor neurons send actions to the lower motor neurons and to the spinal cord to generate a movement (planning, initiating, and directing movements
-directly influences lower motor neurons and spinal cord circuitry