Information Processing

The aim of this lesson is to learn about the way in which information is processed within the brain and reacted to (Equivalent to UK A Level Physical Education)

When we are performing a skill, many decisions must be made. For example, if making an overhead clear in badminton, we must decide, where to aim the shot, how hard to hit it, where to position ourselves afterwards etc etc. The diagram below shows the process involved in making such decisions. This is closely related to the Open Loop Theory as all information is received in one block and feedback does not influence the action.

The next image demonstrates what happens when feedback is also incorporated as occurs in the Closed Loop Theory.

Information processing - closed loop

Response Time

Response (or reaction) time, is a persons ability to take in and process information to make a decision and then put this into action. Measurement of response time is achieved by timing the space between the first presentation of the stimulus (e.g. an unexpected shot in football) to the end of your reaction movement (e.g. the goalkeeper diving to save it)

Response time is affected by the following:

Hicks Law

The time to make a decision increases, with the more choices which are available, as shown in the graph below:

Hicks law

Age

Reaction time speeds up as we develop through childhood, into adulthood, to an optimal point where it then deteriorates again

Presentation of Stimuli in Rapid Succession

This is also sometimes referred to as the psychological refractory period. It is a delay in response to a second stimuli which comes in close succession to the last. For example, when playing hockey, a dummy or fake movement works to put the defender off as they initiate a response to this dummy which they must then stop and correct with a response for the attackers actual movement.

Sex

Males tend to have a faster response time than females, although this deteriorates more rapidly in old age.

Stimulus-Response Compatibility

If the stimulus is expected then the reaction is quicker than if it is unexpected. For example, a goalkeepers reaction to a penalty will be faster than their reaction to an unexpected shot from outside the box.

Experience

The ability to use past experiences to select the correct reaction speeds up the response time

Stimulus Intensity

The stronger the stimulus is, the faster the reaction will be. This is because it is easier to focus the selective attention on strong stimuli. With weaker stimuli, more irrelevant information is taken in.

Anticipation

If an event is anticipated then often the movements required for the reaction are prepared and began before the stimulus occurs. This is known as spatial anticipation. The best example of this is a false start by a sprinter - they were anticipating the gun and the motor programme began too early!

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