Segmentation and coupling in complex movements.
- 1 January 1985
- journal article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance
- Vol. 11 (6) , 828-845
- https://doi.org/10.1037//0096-1523.11.6.828
Abstract
In two experiments we explore the structure of complex sequences of drawing movements. We find that in these movements a single parameter--the velocity gain factor--relates the geometrical and kinematic aspects of the movement trajectory via a two-thirds power law. In Experiment 1 we investigate the relation between the velocity gain factor and the linear extent of the trajectory. In Experiment 2 we demonstrate that the gain factor provides a criterion for segmenting the movement into distinct units of motor action, and we investigate the effects of the speed of execution on this segmentation. A theoretical analysis shows that the results of both Experiments 1 and 2 can be given a unitary interpretation by assuming a coupling function of variable strength between segments. The general problem of representing motor programs is discussed within this theoretical framework.Keywords
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