Abstract
Language | English |
---|---|
Pages | 343-350 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Cognitive Processing |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- intention
- volition
- fractals
- 1/f noise
- motor control
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Interaction between intention and environmental constraints on the fractal dynamics of human performance. / Washburn, Auriel; Coey, Charles A.; Romero, Veronica; Malone, MaryLauren; Richardson, Michael J.
In: Cognitive Processing, Vol. 16, No. 4, 11.2015, p. 343-350.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Interaction between intention and environmental constraints on the fractal dynamics of human performance
AU - Washburn, Auriel
AU - Coey, Charles A.
AU - Romero, Veronica
AU - Malone, MaryLauren
AU - Richardson, Michael J.
PY - 2015/11
Y1 - 2015/11
N2 - The current study investigated whether the influence of available task constraints on power-law scaling might be moderated by a participant’s task intention. Participants performed a simple rhythmic movement task with the intention of controlling either movement period or amplitude, either with or without an experimental stimulus designed to constrain period. In the absence of the stimulus, differences in intention did not produce any changes in power-law scaling. When the stimulus was present, however, a shift toward more random fluctuations occurred in the corresponding task dimension, regardless of participants’ intentions. More importantly, participants’ intentions interacted with available task constraints to produce an even greater shift toward random variation when the task dimension constrained by the stimulus was also the dimension the participant intended to control. Together, the results suggest that intentions serve to more tightly constrain behavior to existing environmental constraints, evidenced by changes in the fractal scaling of task performance.
AB - The current study investigated whether the influence of available task constraints on power-law scaling might be moderated by a participant’s task intention. Participants performed a simple rhythmic movement task with the intention of controlling either movement period or amplitude, either with or without an experimental stimulus designed to constrain period. In the absence of the stimulus, differences in intention did not produce any changes in power-law scaling. When the stimulus was present, however, a shift toward more random fluctuations occurred in the corresponding task dimension, regardless of participants’ intentions. More importantly, participants’ intentions interacted with available task constraints to produce an even greater shift toward random variation when the task dimension constrained by the stimulus was also the dimension the participant intended to control. Together, the results suggest that intentions serve to more tightly constrain behavior to existing environmental constraints, evidenced by changes in the fractal scaling of task performance.
KW - intention
KW - volition
KW - fractals
KW - 1/f noise
KW - motor control
U2 - 10.1007/s10339-015-0652-6
DO - 10.1007/s10339-015-0652-6
M3 - Article
VL - 16
SP - 343
EP - 350
JO - Cognitive Processing
T2 - Cognitive Processing
JF - Cognitive Processing
SN - 1612-4782
IS - 4
ER -