Chase Easter-Hairston, Jeoselyn Ramirez

Professor Salatto
IT WOULD BE SUPER DUPER ULTRA MEGA AWESOME IF YOU COULD TYPE
YOUR ANSWERS IN ANOTHER EASY-TO-SEECOLOR OR HIGHLIGHT THEM SO
THAT I CAN EASILY TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE QUESTION AND
YOUR ANSWER!!!
Contributions to Movement Control lab
Ruler Test Exercise 2.1
1. To examine the difference between simple reaction time and choice reaction time,
break up into groups of 2 or three. NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Each pair of students has two
rulers. (Yard or meter sticks could also be used.)
a. Simple reaction time: One student (the experimenter) begins by holding a ruler
vertically. The other student (the participant) places a thumb and forefinger at the
bottom end of the ruler (at 0). The participant should leave approximately 1 inch (2.5
cm) of space between the thumb and the ruler and the finger and the ruler. The
experimenter drops the ruler without warning, and the participant grasps it as quickly as
possible (see Figure 2.2). Record the number at the top of the position the participant
grasps the ruler in the chart. Experiment 10 times, then switch roles.
b. Choice reaction time: The experimenter holds two rulers vertically, and the participant
positions thumbs and forefingers at the end of each ruler (at 0). The experimenter
randomly releases one of the rulers without warning. The participant grasps the ruler as
quickly as possible. The participant may not grasp with both hands. If both hands
grasp the rulers simultaneously, the trial must be aborted… Said another way, if you
grab for BOTH rulers, it doesn’t count. You only close the hand of the side where
the ruler was dropped. Record the value at the top of the position where the
participant grasps the ruler into the chart, then switch roles.
2. Compare your results for simple reaction time versus choice reaction time. I was able
to catch the ruler quicker with one ruler. My non-dominant hand was slightly harder to
catch with. I also dropped the ruler a few times with my non-dominant hand.
3. Did you find it difficult to close only one hand during the choice reaction time test?
There were a few times when I used both hands because it was automatic. Trying to
catch the meter stick with one hand required me to focus on using one hand.
4. Explain why you are not permitted to grasp with both hands during the choice
reaction time test.
It requires more focus to use one hand. It also requires me to pay attention more to my
vision to asses what side I needed to grab.
 Attempt Simple Choice
Reaction Time Reaction time
(one ruler) (two rulers)

1 17 8

2 14 33

3 12 24

4 21 29

5 21 6

6 13 35

7 19 6

8 30 24

9 14 8

10 20 25
Exercise 2.5 Attentional Styles
What kind of attentional focus shifts might occur for the following skills?
1. Driving on a busy highway
External broad: Driving a bus on a busy highway would be external broad because you
would be paying attention to other cars and how to maneuver through them. You would
also have to be aware that the passengers are okay.
2. Pitching a baseball
Internal narrow: Pitching a baseball would be internal narrow because it would require
focusing on mechanics and talking to yourself about how to execute the pitch and
imagine pitching the perfect ball.
3. Assessing an injured athlete
External narrow: Assessing an injured athlete would be external narrow because you
would focus on someone else with a specific injury requiring your focus. You would have
to be aware of their pain and injury rather than your own.
4. Mountain biking
External broad: Mountain biking would be external broad because the person must be
focusing on the area in which they are riding with potential obstacles, turns, jumps, and
other people to avoid. (Similar to the car)
Short-Term Memory Test Exercise 2.6
Search for and take a short-term memory test on the Internet. 1. Compare your results
with the answers after the test. How did you perform? Were you able to remember more
than the average? Short-term memory is typically seven plus or minus two items. If you
were able to remember more than the average, what are some strategies that you
used? Explain. I was able to remember the first 4 trials. The maximum number of letters
I remembered was 8. I repeated the letters in my head to try and memorize them before
they went away.
2. Distinguish between short-term, long-term, and working memory. Short-term is stored
for only 20-30 seconds unless rehearsed. Working memory temporarily stores recent
material and retrieves information from long-term memory for use. Long-term memories
are relatively permanent.
3. What role does memory play in learning movements? How can you help students,
athletes, patients, or clients remember movements? Repetition and practice need to be
frequent enough, for something to be stored in long-term memory. Learning movements
can require guidance, which is our role when helping students, athletes, patients, or
clients. With knowledge of memory and attention, it is important to help them focus to
improve their memory of the movements being performed.
https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chmemory.html