KNSS 307 ( theoretical perspectives in motor development)
Maturational Perspective
Motor development driven by maturation of systems
(nature)
Specifically, the central nervous system
Minimal influence of environment
Characteristics of motor development
Qualitative
Discontinuous
Maturation theory
nature
informational processing theory
nuture
ecological theory
dynamical=nature
percption action= nurture
History of Maturation perspective
- 1930s: Gesell, McGraw
- Suggested invariable, genetically determined sequence of development (individuals can have unique timing)
- Research: co-twin control strategy
- McGraw (1935) associated motor behavior changes with development of the nervous system…and that advancement in the CNS triggers
appearance of a new skill
DESCRIPTIVE METHODOLOGY
IN MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
Characteristic of maturational perspective
Used from 1940s to 1970s
Normative
Use of quantitative scores to describe children’s average
performance (e.g., Espenschade, Glassow, Rarick)
Biomechanical
Use of biomechanical descriptions of movement patterns in
fundamental skills (e.g., Glassow, Halverson)
LONG-LASTING BELIEFS FROM MATURATION THEORY
Basic motor skills emerge automatically.
• There is no need for special training.
• Mild deprivation does not arrest development.
• The nervous system is the most important.
INFORMATION PROCESSING PERSPECTIVE
Motor development is driven by external processes
(nurture).
Basic tenet: The brain acts like a computer.
The passive human responds to stimuli in the environment.
Important concepts: input, encoding, processing, feedback.
A subfield (called PERCEPTUAL MOTOR LEARNING)
exists within the framework of information processing.
Early work (1960s) tried to link learning disabilities
to delayed perceptual-motor development.
ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Development is driven by the interrelationship of
individual, environment, and task (importance of
multiple systems).
The neural system is one of many responsible for
action.
There are two branches:
1. Dynamical systems
2. Perception–action
DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS
Theory was advocated in the early 1980s by Kugler,
Kelso, and Turvey (among others).
Body systems spontaneously self-organize (not driven
solely by CNS).
Body systems, the performer’s environment, and
task demands interact.
Some systems (rate limiters) may develop more slowly
in the young or degrade faster in the old and thus
control rate of development or change.
PERCEPTION–ACTION
Theory is based on the work of Gibson (1960s and
1970s).
Action is not only a response to a perception but
actions generate perception and the link between
them is strengthened.
Affordance is the function an environmental object
provides to an individual.
Characteristics define objects’ meanings.
Object functions are based on individuals’ intrinsic dimensions
(i.e., are body-scaled) rather than the object’s extrinsic,
objective dimensions.