Motor Control and Learning

Richard A. Schmidt manages his own consulting firm in which he researches issues in human performance and ergonomics. He is also professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California Los Angeles. Timothy D. Lee has been a contributing editor for the Journal of Motor Behaviour and the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and worked as an editorial board member for the Psychological Review.

Part I. Introduction to Motor BehaviorChapter 1. Evolution of a Field of Study-Understanding Movement-Origins of the Field-SummaryChapter 2. Methodology for Studying Motor Performance-Classification of Behavior-Basic Considerations in Measurement-Measuring Motor Behavior-Measuring and Evaluating Relationships-SummaryChapter 3. Human Information Processing-The Information-Processing Model-Three Stages of Information Processing-Anticipation-Signal Detection Theory-Memory-SummaryChapter 4. Attention and Performance-Types of Attention-Theories of Attention-Attention and Patterns of Interference Among Tasks-Attention and Interference During Movement-Cell Phones, Attention and Driving-Directed Attention in Action-Attention, Arousal, and Anxiety-SummaryPart II. Motor ControlChapter 5. Sensory Contributions to Motor Control-Vision-Audition-Proprioceptors-Proprioception and Motor Control-Feedforward Influences on Motor Control-SummaryChapter 6. Central Contributions to Motor Control-Open-Loop Processes-Central Control Mechanisms-Central Control of Rapid Movements-Motor Program Issues-Generalized Motor Programs-SummaryChapter 7. Principles of Speed and Accuracy-Fitts' Law: The Logarithmic Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off-The Linear Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off-The Temporal Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off-Central Contributions to the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off-Correction Models of the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off-SummaryChapter 8. Coordination-Discrete Tasks-Continuous Tasks-SummaryChapter 9. Individual Differences and Capabilities-Experimental Versus Differential Approaches-Abilities-Taxonomies-Prediction-Individual-Difference Variables-SummaryPart III. Motor LearningChapter 10. Motor Learning Concepts and Research Methods-Motor Learning Defined-Measuring Motor Learning-Designing Experiments on Learning-Some Alternative Methods for Measuring Learning-Issues About the "Amount" of Learning-Importance of Understanding Learning and Performance Variables-SummaryChapter 11. Conditions of Practice-The Power Law of Practice-Prepractice Considerations-Distribution of Practice-Variability of Practice-Scheduling Practice with Several Different Tasks-Mental Practice-Part Versus Whole Practice-Guidance-Principles of Practice Specificity-SummaryChapter 12. Augmented Feedback-Classifications and Definitions-Research on Augmented Feedback-Evaluating the Effects of Augmented Feedback-Knowledge of Performance-Knowledge of Results-Theoretical Issues: How Does Augmented Feedback "Work"?-SummaryChapter 13. The Learning Process-Characteristics of the Learning Process-Two Theories of Motor Learning-Differing Theoretical Perspectives of Motor Learning-SummaryChapter 14. Retention and Transfer-Fundamental Distinctions and Definitions-Measuring Retention and Transfer-Retention and Motor Memory-Retention Loss-Transfer of Learning-Summary