Research Area
- Cognitive Science/Neural Science
Research Interests
- Motor development
- Infant development
- Developmental theory
We seek to understand the fundamental processes of skill development in infants, toddlers, and adults. Our studies of movement, perception, and cognition are unified by a single theoretical umbrella--that of dynamic systems theory.
We seek to understand the fundamental processes of skill development in infants, toddlers, and adults. Our studies of movement, perception, and cognition are unified by a single theoretical umbrella--that of dynamic systems theory. The foundational assumptions of this theory are:
- Behavior and its changes are emergent from systems composed of multiple, coupled elements embedded in the world
- Behavior and its changes are continuous in time at different scales ranging from seconds to years
- Skill acquisition at any age is an active process of problem-solving, where actors are continually learning about their bodies in relation to tasks in the environment
Our current studies center on the themes of "stability" and "flexibility" -the two necessary aspects of being skilled. We ask: How do children remember and learn from their experiences so that their behavior can become stable and repeatable? At the same time: How do children become flexible so that they can adapt to an ever-changing world? Our empirical studies are in continual dialogue with theory. We collaborate with the dynamic theorist, Dr.Gregor Schöner,of the University of Bochum, Germany in the development and elaboration of dynamic field models, which, in turn, inspire new experiments. We are looking at the multiple and dynamic processes involved in:
- Perseverative behavior in infants and toddlers in a variety of tasks, using different movements and situations (becoming stable)
- Visual and manual habituation (becoming flexible)
- Developmental changes in these processes
We use a variety of research designs and methods, including behavioral experiments, observations, computer-assisted movement analysis, and EMG. We are known for dense, longitudinal designs, but we do many cross-sectional studies as well.
There is an intimaterelation between developing perceptual-motor skills and all other areasof mental functioning during early life. The proposed studies areinformed by a dynamic systems perspective. Thus, the research strategyis twofold: 1 to provide a detailed description of the developmentalchanges in reaching and walking and their multiple interactingsubsystems, and 2 to identify and experimentally manipulate agents andprocesses critical to the emergence of new behavioral forms. Specificaim 1 is to complete the analysis of longitudinal data on the kinematics, kinetics, and muscle patterns of infant reaching, collected weekly from4 infants from weeks 3-52. This will describe the transition fromspontaneous to goal-directed reaching, the improvements in the accuracy, speed and smoothness in reaching, and the dynamic segmental forces andmuscle patterns that underlie these changes. Specific aim 2 is toconduct a longitudinal study of infants between 6 months and 18 monthsto trace the kinematic, kinetic and EMG characteristics of treadmillsteps, supported steps, and independent walking. This study willdescribe the developmental transition in the neuromuscular precursors ofwalking when infants stand, bear weight, and move forward independently. Specific aim 3is to conduct experiments where kicking and reachingmovements are perturbed by a slight tug, which simulates the naturallyoccurring internal and external force environment. This studyinvestigates how infants detect and adjust their muscles toproprioceptive input. Specific aim 4 is a series of experimentsinvestigating how infants acquire new motor forms. Infants will betrained to use bilateral kicks to activate a mobile, and the conditionsand contexts that facilitate learning and remembering the new pattern ofcoordination will be manipulated. These studies are important to 1illuminate basic developmental processes; 2 understand fundamentalmechanisms of perceptual-motor coordination and control; and 3 impacton clinical practice.The overall goal of this research program is to understand the acquisitionof motor skills in infancy. The proposed studies are informed by a dynamicsystems perspective. Thus, the research strategy is twofold: 1 toprovide a detailed description of the developmental changes in reaching andwalking and their multiple interacting subsystems, and 2 to identify andexperimentally manipulate agents and processes critical to the emergence ofnew behavioral forms. Specific aim I is to complete the analysis oflongitudinal data on the kinematics, kinetics, and muscle patterns ofinfant reaching, collected weekly from 4 infants from weeks 3 - 52 Thiswill describe the transition from spontaneous to goal-directed reaching, the improvements in the accuracy, speed and smoothness in reaching, and thedynamic segmental forces and muscle patterns that underlie these changes. Specific aim 2 is to conduct a longitudinal study of infants between 6months and 18 months to trace the kinematic, kinetic and EMGcharacteristics of treadmill steps, supported steps, and independentwalking. This study will describe the developmental transition in theneuromuscular precursors of walking when infants stand, bear weight, andmove forward independently. Specific aim 3 is to conduct experiments wherekicking and reaching movements are perturbed by a slight tug, whichsimulates the naturally occurring internal and external force environment. This study investigates how infants detect and adjust their muscles toproprioceptive input. Specific aim 4 is a series of experimentsinvestigating how infants acquire new motor forms. Infants will be trainedto use bilateral kicks to activate a mobile, and the conditions andcontexts that facilitate learning and remembering the new pattern ofcoordination will be manipulated. These studies are important to 1illuminate basic developmental processes; 2 understand fundamentalmechanisms of motor coordination and control; and 3 impact on clinicalpractice, especially physical and occupational therapy with children.
-, Bioenergetics, Biological Signal Transduction, Biomechanics, Body Movement, Child Physical Development, Computer Processing of Laboratory Data, Developmental Psychology, Early Experience, Electromyography, Environmental Adaptation, Form Pattern Perception, Gait, Human Subject, Infant Human, Learning, Limb Movement, Longitudinal Human Study, Memory, Muscle Contraction, Neuromuscular Function, Posture, Psychomotor Function, Psychomotor Tracking, Sensorimotor System, Training, Year
