A computer mouse-based throwing task to study perceptual-motor skill learning in humans and machines

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Abstract

Perceptual-motor tasks offer redundant solutions to achieve a goal. However, not all solutions are equally robust to error-producing noise or variability and thus, skill learning can be viewed as a search process to identify behaviors that are error-tolerant. Throwing a ball to hit a target is one such example of a complex perceptual-motor skill that has been studied in the laboratory via the virtual “skittles” task, a simplified 2D task involving throwing a tetherball around a pole to hit a target. We implemented the task as a Unity3D environment (code here: https://github.com/ShortFox/SkittlesTaskEnvironment/) which enables participants to complete the task with a computer mouse and replicated key findings from previous research. Our implementation allows for remote data collection and can serve as a pedagogical tool to teach concepts in skill acquisition. Future work will use this task to explore human versus machine skill acquisition by leveraging Unity’s MLAgents reinforcement learning package.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCogSci2022
Subtitle of host publicationproceedings of the 44th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society
EditorsJ. Culbertson, A. Perfors, H. Rabagliati, V. Ramenzoni
Place of PublicationAustin, Texas
PublisherCognitive Science Society
Pages3770
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2022
EventAnnual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (44th : 2022) - Toronto, Canada
Duration: 27 Jul 202230 Jul 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society
Volume44
ISSN (Electronic)1069-7977

Conference

ConferenceAnnual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (44th : 2022)
Abbreviated titleCogSci 2022
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto
Period27/07/2230/07/22

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2022. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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