info processing 4

Information ProcessingLearning processes: decision making mechanism and output

Friday, 6 September 2013

Decision making mechanism

Once the brain has gathered and interpreted information from the environment, it undertakes the final stage of processing information. The decision making mechanism constructs a plan of action (a detailed set of instructions called a motor program) that will result in an appropriate physical response.

The brain can recall the motor program form the long-term memory once the decision making decides to use that program to complete the desired physical response.

The brain compares information in the decision making mechanism (located in the short-term memory) to stored information previously gathered from similar situations. Thus the use of long-term memory to compare and contrast cues allows the performer to produce the most effective response.


Effector Mechanism

The effector mechanism is responsible for organising, initiating and controlling the motor program. It sends the appropriate instructions to the nerves and muscles to allow the designated movement to take place (output).

Output


Reaction Time

The time it takes for perceptual, decision making and effector mechanisms to complete their tasks is called your reaction time.

Reaction time is a measure of processing time - the time from presentation of a signal to the initiation of a response movement.

You can only produce movement after detecting, interpreting and processing all information.

The muscles carry out the motor program selected by the decision making mechanism in accordance with instructions from the effector mechanism.

The total time to complete the movement is called movement time.

Reaction time and movement time are the athlete’s total response time.

Output


Reaction Time Output


Types of reaction timeThere are two types of reaction time:

simple reaction time

choice reaction time


Simple reaction timeSimple reaction time is where there is only one appropriate response to the stimulus provided. As a result of requiring only one specific response.

Simple reaction is quicker.

eg: when the gun sounds at the beginning of a 100m sprint, the athlete must start to run. The average simple reaction time for adults is 0.2 seconds.


Choice reaction time

Choice reaction time is slower as there are several stimuli, with several appropriate responses. With more information to be processed before selecting the appropriate motor program, the processing or reaction time will be slower.


Influences on your reaction time

There are many factors that influence reaction time between individuals. These include;

age

gender

intensity of the stimulus or cue

number of choice

warning signals

probability of the signal occurring

psychological refractory period

stimulus-response compatibility


Age

Your reaction time is at its fastest when you are aged 19-30 years, then it increases (you react slowly).


Gender

For psychological reasons, males generally have faster reactions that women, although reaction times vary between people of the same age and gender.


Number of choices

Reaction time is fastest if there is one stimulus and just one response to it (simple reaction time)


Warning signals

If a signal precedes the actual sensory cue, reaction time will be reduced.

The yellow ‘caution’ traffic light precedes the red ‘stop’ light. To let you know that the red light is about to shine and that you have to stop the car.


Intensity of the stimulus or cue

Signals that are larger and brighter are easier to detect. Likewise cues that are more intense are processed faster, reducing reaction time.


Probability of the signal occuring

If you know that a cue is about to occur, you can be ready to respond. You can anticipate the arrival of the cue and therefore reduce your reaction time.


Psychological refractory periodThe psychological refractory period is the delay in processing successive cues while the first cue is being processed. The initiation of a response to successive cues is delayed.

Many performers use the psychological refractory period to their advantage by presenting successive cues such as fakes and baulks to slow the response of their opponents.


Stimulus-response capabilityStimulus-response capability is the degree of cohesion or relevance between the stimulus presented and the response performed. If the compatibility is high, the response will seem to match or be appropriate to the stimulus or cue.

However, if the compatibility is not high, the response will be slower.

eg: many competitive swimmers train for race starts with their coaches’ voice commands. However, state, national and international competitions use the ‘beep’. Some swimmers may therefore react more slowly to the beep because they are not use to it. The beep does not provide the usual compatibility between the stimulus and the response.


Test your understanding

What is the effector mechanism and what is its role in decision making?

Outline the relationship between reaction time, movement time and response time.

Define the term simple reaction time.

Define the term choice reaction time.

List the eight factors that can influence reaction time.

Define the term psychological refractory period.

Define the term stimulus-response compatibility.


Apply your understanding

What are three influences on reaction time? Explain each one.

Faking or baulking in sport is a successful tactical ploy because it gives a player added time to play a shot, shoot or pass. a) what major ‘skill acquisition’ principle comes into play during a fake? b) explain why an opponent’s response is delayed when confronted with a fake.

Discuss sports where multiple stimuli will influence performance

Examine sporting situations that exemplify the psychological refractory period.

Examine sporting situations that help you understand stimulus-response compatibility.


Test your reaction time

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/reaction_version5.swf

http://www.freebrainagegames.com/games/reactions_pounce.php










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