Dynamic field theory of movement preparation

A theoretical framework for understanding movement preparation is proposed. Movement parameters are represented by activation fields, distributions of activation defined over metric spaces. The fields evolve under the influence of various sources of localized input, representing information about up...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPsychological review Vol. 109; no. 3; p. 545
Main Authors Erlhagen, Wolfram, Schöner, Gregor
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.2002
Subjects
Humans
Models, Psychological
Movement - physiology
Neurophysiology
Nonlinear Dynamics
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Reaction Time - physiology
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Summary:A theoretical framework for understanding movement preparation is proposed. Movement parameters are represented by activation fields, distributions of activation defined over metric spaces. The fields evolve under the influence of various sources of localized input, representing information about upcoming movements. Localized patterns of activation self-stabilize through cooperative and competitive interactions within the fields. The task environment is represented by a 2nd class of fields, which preshape the movement parameter representation. The model accounts for a sizable body of empirical findings on movement initiation (continuous and graded nature of movement preparation, dependence on the metrics of the task, stimulus uncertainty effect, stimulus-response compatibility effects, Simon effect, precuing paradigm, and others) and suggests new ways of exploring the structure of motor representations.
ISSN:0033-295X
DOI:10.1037/0033-295X.109.3.545