Month: October 2016

39A – Halloween Special II: Effects of Fear on Perception & Performance

39A Is fear in a performer a debilitating problem that must be overcome? Or can freezing from fear actually improve our ability to perceive and act? Download link Articles: Ready and waiting: Freezing as active action preparation under threat Simulated self-motion alters perceived time to collision Freezing promotes perception of coarse visual features Seeing fearful…

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39 – Perceptual-Motor Development II: Ecological Approach

39 A look at perceptual-motor development from the ecological perspective. If it’s not preprogrammed by our genetics, how does a child’s pattern of movements emerge from the dynamical constraints of their environment? And how does movement shape perceptual discovery? Download link Articles/links: Motor Development: A New Synthesis Infant bouncing: The assembly and tuning of action…

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38A – Interview with Andrew Wilson, Leeds Beckett, Ecological Approach

38A A discussion Andrew Wilson from Leeds Beckett. We discuss ecological psychology ideas like motor abundance, functional equivalence and degeneracy, Andrew’s recent study on task dynamics and information in throwing, his work on affordances and throwing prehistoric stones, and the current and future state of the ecological approach. Download link More information about my guest:…

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38 – Perceptual-Motor Development I: Traditional Approach

38 A look at perceptual-motor development from an information processing, stage-based perspective. What is the relative importance of genetics and early experience? Are their critical periods in which perceptual and motor skills must develop? What is an efference copy? Download link Articles/links: What Is Motor Development? The Lessons of History Infancy and Human Growth Effects…

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37D – Sciencing My Way Through Ultrarunning

37D Thinking aloud about some sports science issues as I prepare for my first 50K ultra. What is the optimal focus of attention for a runner and how does it change as you switch from road to trail? How can one best acquire the skill of downhill running? Does it depend on where you look?…

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37C – Interview with Kylie Steel, Western Sydney, Applying Biological Motion

37C A discussion with Kylie Steel Senior Lecturer in the School of Science and Health at Western Sydney University in Australia. In the interview we discuss biological motion: what is it and how can we apply it to sport, how important is it to be able to quickly recognize a teammate on the field or…

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37B – Sports Science Shorts: Stereotype Threat & Performance

37B What is stereotype threat and how can it affect sports performance? Is it possible that being challenged by a statement like “girls can’t play sports” could make a female athlete perform better in some situations? Download link Articles: On the causal mechanisms of stereotype threat: can skills that don’t rely heavily on working memory…

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