Citation

Viviani P, Cenzato M. J. Exp. Psychol. Hum. Percept. Perform. 1985; 11(6): 828-845.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2934511

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.

Language: en