Dominant Paradigms in Motor Behavior Research: The Motor-Action Controversy Revisited

• Published in: Perceptual and motor skills Vol. 106; no. 2; pp. 573 - 578
• Main Authors: Aune, Tore Kristian, Pedersen, Arve Vorland, Ingvaldsen, Rolf P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.04.2008; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Behavior; Human factors research; Human mechanics; Humans; Motor ability; Motor Skills; Psychomotor Performance; Publishing - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0031-5125; 1558-688X
• DOI: 10.2466/pms.106.2.573-578

In 1992, Abernethy and Sparrow published an evaluation of the historical development of the field of motor behavior research as published from 1977 up to 1988 in the Journal of Motor Behavior. The present study extends their evaluation from 1988 through 2005 using content analyses of articles on motor control and learning in this journal. Papers were categorized into the two dominant and contrasting paradigms, the motor systems approach and the action systems approach. Analysis suggests that the field of motor behavior research has changed considerably over the last three decades. The action systems approach is now the leading approach, but the motor systems approach has, however, not perished. In a Kuhnian perspective, the results might be consistent with a more long-lasting crisis, and from the available data it is not possible to predict a future outcome of the dispute between the two approaches.