Concurrent task performance enhances low-level visuomotor learning.
Citation:
Roche, RAP, Commins, S, Agnew, F, Corapi, K, Leibbrand, S, Lipson, Z, Rickard, J, Sorohan, J & O?Mara, SM `Concurrent task performance enhances low-level visuomotor learning? in Perception and Psychophysics, 69, (4), 2007, pp 513 - 522Download Item:
Abstract:
Visuomotor association learning involves learning to make a motor response to an arbitrary visual stimulus.
This learning is essential for visual search and discrimination performance and is reliant upon a well-defined
neural circuit in the brain that includes the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampal formation. In the present
study, we investigated the possible role of attentional processes during such learning using dual-task interference.
A motor, verbal, or perceptual concurrent task was performed during the learning/training block of a
simple visual discrimination task. Contrary to expectation, the dual-task groups showed improved learning and
learning-dependent
performance compared with untrained control and non-dual-task trained groups. A second
experiment revealed that this effect did not appear to be due to increased arousal level; the inclusion of alerting
tones during learning did not result in facilitation. These findings suggest that the engagement of attention, but
not arousal, during the acquisition of a visuomotor association can facilitate this learning and its expression.
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Grant Number
Enterprise Ireland
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/smomaraDescription:
PUBLISHED
Author: O'MARA, SHANE MICHAEL; ROCHE, RICHARD
Publisher:
Psychonomic SocietyType of material:
Journal ArticleSeries/Report no:
Perception and Psychophysics69
4
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Full text availableKeywords:
Administrative Staff AuthorsISSN:
0031-5117Metadata
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