Date of Award

Spring 1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Psychology

Committee Director

Raymond H. Kirby

Committee Member

Joe Adkins

Committee Member

Glynn D. Coates

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P65F74

Abstract

The hierarchical model of motor programs asserts that a new movement is learned in hierarchical stages, and that movement timing control develops within each specific stage. The present study investigated whether learning within these different hierarchical stages is favored by different styles of timing cues. Three groups of right-handed subjects (total N = 48) learned to trace a short path while a specific style of auditory timing cue was introduced. Cues were presented in either a movement-synchronized style (cues occurring every time a movement change is required), an isochronic style (equal time interval cues), or with no cues (the control condition). The results indicate that auditory cues were only effective to some degree in improving performance, with no overall differences found between isochronic and movement-synchronized styles of cue, though cue style did have an effect on males' performance when the task was modulated. Strong effects for gender were found, with males consistently outperforming females. Future research should consider using single-subject designs with somewhat slower, less abstract tasks so that subjects have a concrete purpose on which to focus.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/qacz-8j98

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