Showing papers in "Perceptual and Motor Skills in 1996"
TL;DR: Performance on the most complex task, the Interference subtest of the Stroop, was especially improved after exercise, and the expectancy of the subjects of a potential positive effect of exercise was thought to have been responsible.
Abstract: Stimulating as well as detrimental effects of exercise on cognitive functioning have been reported. In the present study, 15 endurance-trained athletes (aged 18 to 42 years) performed a bicycle ergometer endurance test at 75% of their maximal work capacity (Wmax). Psychomotor and cognitive tests were administered before and immediately after exercise. These consisted of simple reaction time (RT), 3-choice RT and Stimulus-Response (S-R) incompatible RT tasks, a finger-tapping task, and the Stroop test. Simple RT tasks, but also the more complex S-R in compatible RT, and Color Word Interference in the Stroop test showed an increase in speed of performance after exercise relative to baseline. An enhanced activation was probably responsible for this better performance on psychomotor and cognitive tests. Since performance on the most complex task, the Interference subtest of the Stroop, was especially improved after exercise, the expectancy of the subjects of a potential positive effect of exercise was thought to have been responsible.
234 citations
TL;DR: This article conducted an exploratory study to identify the factors involved in the origination, continuation, and cessation of sports-team identification and found that a wide variety of factors were perceived by fans to be important in their identification.
Abstract: While previous work had focused on the manner in which identification with a sports team influences the reactions of spectators, research had yet to identify those factors with the greatest amount of influence on identification. This article reports on an exploratory study designed to fill this void by identifying the factors involved in the origination, continuation, and cessation of sports-team identification. Responses indicated that a wide variety of factors were perceived by fans to be important in their identification. Specifically, the success of the team, geographical reasons, the players, and affiliative reasons were all quite important in the fans' identification.
196 citations
TL;DR: It was found that a smile enhanced attractiveness and kindness ratings independently of its form, whereas the influence of the various forms on ratings of happiness was additive.
Abstract: Summary-This study investigated the effect of various forms of smiltng (closed smile, upper smile, or broad smile) on person perception Brazilian undergraduates (N=330) judged a photograph of a male or female stimulus person in three age ranges (young, middle-aged, and old) and smiling or not 7-point scales were used to measure respondents' perception of the stimulus persons on various attributes (attractiveness, happiness, extroversion, sympathy, kmdness, submission, ambition, and intelligence) We found that a smile enhanced attractiveness and kindness ratings independently of its form, whereas the influence of the various forms on ratings of happiness was additive As the neutral face changed to a closed smile and the closed smile became a broad smile, target stimuli were attributed greater rated happiness We also found a contribution of perceivers' gender to the judgements of extroversion and symparhy, indicating a slightly greater discrimination of facial expressions among women than among men
143 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that the cognitive component influencing users' perceptions of the complexity of the different menu structures was short-term memory load, which is linked to an existing theory of task complexity.
Abstract: In this research a relationship between an hierarchical menu's depth and the perceived complexity of a task involving menu retrieval was proposed and validated 12 subjects were asked to use six different hierarchical menus of varying breadth and depth The dependent variables were response time and accuracy The independent variables were depth and breadth of the hierarchy Subsequent to experimentation, the subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire on users' perceptions of the complexity of the different menu structures As depth increased, perceived complexity of the menus increased significantly These phenomena are linked to an existing theory of task complexity We suggest that the cognitive component influencing users' perceptions of task complexity was short-term memory load
141 citations
TL;DR: There were statistically significant differences between hands and feet, dominant and non-dominant sides, age groups, and number of choices, and especially between men and women.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to collect reference data on different aspects of performance, including reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed, and coordination of hands and feet using Human Performance Measurement/Basic Elements of Performance equipment and reports of reference data findings. Also, the reliability of the measurements is presented. 200 healthy, randomly selected subjects (100 men, 100 women; aged 21-70 years) were categorized by gender and by age decade into ten groups. The test battery consisted of six tests for both hands and feet. In general, the performance decreased clearly after 50 years in both genders. There were statistically significant differences between hands and feet, dominant and non-dominant sides, age groups, and number of choices, and especially between men and women.
139 citations
TL;DR: Women had higher scores on the Social Physique Anxiety Scale than men; individuals who scored high were more likely to endorse extrinsic motives for exercise than individuals scoring low on the scale, and high scores were indicative of higher public body awareness.
Abstract: Social physique anxiety is a feeling of distress associated with the perceived evaluation of one's physical self. Since its inception, the construct has been associated with a variety of exercise-related constructs including perceived competence, self-consciousness, and the exercise milieu individuals choose. The present purpose was to relate social physique anxiety to participants' attitudes toward exercise, adherence behaviors, participation motivation, personality variables, and emotional attitude toward exercise, 326 university fitness-center participants were surveyed and asked for demographic information, to self-report their exercise habits, and to answer questions measuring the construct, motivation, personality, and attitudes toward exercise. Women had higher scores on the Social Physique Anxiety Scale than men; individuals who scored high were more likely to endorse extrinsic motives for exercise than individuals scoring low on the scale, and high scores were indicative of higher public body awareness. Individuals with high scores on the Social Physique Anxiety Scale exhibited an emotional profile similar to addicted exercisers. Given these results, implications for alleviation of such anxiety were discussed.
139 citations
TL;DR: Working adults participating in moderate amounts of these activities have about half the rate of perceived stress as nonparticipants, and employees who expended more than 3.0 Kcal/kg−1 · day−1 in physical activity during leisure time were 0.78 and 0.62 times less likely to have moderate and high perceived stress, respectively.
Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between physical activity during leisure time and perceived stress among working adults (N = 32,229). Data were gathered on physical activity, perceived stress, current health status, age, gender, life changes, ongoing problems, number of techniques used for stress reduction, and number of personality traits related to Type A behavior. To control for confounding variables Mantel-Haenszel summary risk estimates were used. Employees who expended more than 3.0 Kcal/kg(-1) . day(-1) in physical activity during leisure time were 0.78 and 0.62 times less likely to have moderate and high perceived stress, respectively. Working adults participating in moderate amounts of these activities have about half the rate of perceived stress as nonparticipants.
138 citations
TL;DR: Highly anxious subjects showed a longer mean reaction time on the verbal memory task than the low-anxiety group, which might suggest that anxiety such as worry and cognitive self-concern interferes with information processing in the articulatory loop of the working memory system.
Abstract: The purpose was to examine the effect of test anxiety on deficits in the articulatory loop in the working memory system. We used a verbal memory task to occupy the articulatory loop and a spatial memory task to occupy the visuospatial scratch pad. 17 highly test-anxious and 19 low-anxiety subjects performed both tasks under an anxiety-inducing situation during which they were observed by a monitor camera. Percentage of correct responses and reaction times were measured as indices of task performance. Highly anxious subjects reported feeling worry and cognitive self-concern more than the low-anxiety group. Highly anxious subjects showed a longer mean reaction time on the verbal memory task than the low-anxiety group. On the spatial memory task there was no difference in quality of performance. This finding might suggest that anxiety such as worry and cognitive self-concern interferes with information processing in the articulatory loop of the working memory system.
126 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated EEG correlates of this enhanced performance effect, 4 female and 4 male undergraduates completed two equivalent spatial tests, one following a control procedure and one following the presentation of Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major.
Abstract: Previous research has shown that exposure to classical music can influence performance on a spatial task. The present study investigated EEG correlates of this enhanced performance effect, 4 female and 4 male undergraduates completed two equivalent spatial tests, one following a control procedure and one following the presentation of Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major. EEG was recorded during a baseline and two task-performance periods. Test performance and EEG recordings were analyzed, and correlations were generated between task performance and EEG variables (average spectral power and peak frequency within 5 frequency ranges). Performance improved significantly following the presentation of the music. EEG analysis indicated 6 reliable correlations out of 40 calculated between differential EEG variables and changes in performance. Ten reliable correlations out of 120 were also found between changes in performance and nondifferential EEG variables across baseline, control, and experimental conditions.
115 citations
TL;DR: An arousal effect was shown, as indicated by a quadratic trend, indicating that emotional slides (both pleasant and unpleasant) gave higher cortical positivity than neutral ones, for all components.
Abstract: Visual evoked potentials to emotional slides presented for 2 sec. were investigated in 13 subjects. 73 emotional slides (pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral) were selected from a standardized set of photographic slides, the 1988 International Affective Picture System of Lang, Ohman, and Vaitl Visual evoked potentials were recorded from three head locations, frontal, central and parietal (Fz, Cz, and Pz). Analyses were performed in the two latency ranges: 300-400 msec. and 400-500 msec. Analyses showed an arousal effect, as indicated by a quadratic trend, indicating that emotional slides (both pleasant and unpleasant) gave higher cortical positivity than neutral ones, for all components. In addition, in the two latency epochs, larger positivities were found at Pz, compared to Fz and Cz, whereas Fz and Cz did not differ from each other.
105 citations
TL;DR: A model to enhance the understanding of exercise-related behavior in the general population and the study of the relationship of motivation with affect toward exercise is provided.
Abstract: Recently researchers have focused attention on understanding the relationship between motivation to participate and affective states associated with adherence to exercise and psychological outcomes of participation. It was hypothesized that intrinsic motivation toward an activity will heighten the associated positive affect, thereby leading to increased participation and higher perceived competence and satisfaction. The presently devised models tested the above hypothesis with 130 college students enrolled in psychology classes. They were asked to complete the Motivation for Physical Activity Measure, the Sport Enjoyment Questionnaire, and general demographic questions assessing adherence to exercise and perceived competence and satisfaction. Partial support for these path models was shown as intrinsic motivation was a predictor of affect and perceived competence and satisfaction, while extrinsic motivation predicted adherence for men only. These results provide a model to enhance the understanding of exercise-related behavior in the general population and the study of the relationship of motivation with affect toward exercise.
TL;DR: It was concluded that a simple motoric task such as grip strength provides a sensitive measure of psychophysical responses to music.
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of stimulative (energizing) and sedative (relaxing) music on grip strength. A 2 x 3 (gender x condition) repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc tests showed that participants (N = 50) evidenced higher grip strength after listening to stimulative music (M = 43.94 kg.force) than after sedative music or a white noise control condition. Sedative music yielded lower scores than white noise. Men evidenced higher grip strength than women, but there was no interaction between gender and music condition. It was concluded that a simple motoric task such as grip strength provides a sensitive measure of psychophysical responses to music.
TL;DR: 46 boys and girls in kindergarten, aged 4 to 6 years, were classified into 17 player and 17 nonplayer groups by their enthusiasm for computer games, and RTs of players were significantly faster than those of nonplayers.
Abstract: To assess the association of past use of computer games and parallel-processing skills as measured by tests of discrimination perception using computers 46 boys and girls in kindergarten, aged 4 to 6 years, were classified into 17 player and 17 nonplayer groups by their enthusiasm for computer games. There were no significant differences between the two groups in correct responses; however, RTs of players were significantly faster than those of nonplayers. RTs were different to color and shape. Experiences with computer games might develop information-processing skills.
TL;DR: It was concluded that men have a basic motor-speed advantage, but that women may be faster at programming a sequence of speech or manual movements.
Abstract: Young men and women were compared on the speeded repetition of speech (ns = 20 and 18, respectively) and manual movements (ns = 37 and 38). The repetition of a single speech or manual movement was used as a measure of baseline speed, against which to compare a sequence of movements. Males tended to be faster at repeating a single movement, but using baseline speed as a covariate resulted in a female advantage for the repetition of a sequence of movements. It was concluded that men have a basic motor-speed advantage, but that women may be faster at programming a sequence of speech or manual movements. The results are discussed with respect to sexual variation in the neural organization of motor programming systems.
TL;DR: In this article, walking patterns and rhythmic movement of the fingers were examined in a total of 1,134 male and female community residents 65 years of age and over, and walking patterns were characterized according to the ratio of step length divided by step rate (cadence), called the Walk Ratio, during level walking at preferred and maximum speeds.
Abstract: Walking patterns and rhythmic movement of the fingers were examined in a total of 1,134 male and female community residents 65 years of age and over. Walking patterns were characterized according to the ratio of step length divided by step rate (cadence), called the Walk Ratio, during level walking at preferred and maximum speeds. The walking pattern tended to change according to age; older subjects walked with shorter steps (smaller Walk Ratio). Rhythmic movement was examined using the finger-tapping test in time to the sound of a 4-Hz metronome. Hastened tapping or finger festination, in which the subject tapped faster than requested (constant error of 3 msec. and over in the intertap interval), was characteristic of aging; 16.8% of the subjects exhibited finger festination and the occurrence increased with age, especially among those in their eighties (29.3%). Finger festination was accompanied by walking patterns with an increased step rate, or a smaller Walk Ratio. These characteristics of aging were discussed as similar to extrapyramidal symptoms of walking and rhythm production in patients with Parkinson's disease.
TL;DR: This paper examined the anticipation of professional soccer goalkeepers when facing right and left-footed penalty kicks and found that goalkeepers were more accurate when faced with right-and left-handed penalty kicks.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the anticipation of professional soccer goalkeepers when facing right- and left-footed penalty kicks Subjects were shown a videotape of 10 right-footed and
TL;DR: Analysis of the choices by correspondence analysis showed that each area (country) shows tendencies for unique color preference and that there are statistically significant differences in the frequency of selection of colors of certain hues and tones.
Abstract: To measure and compare the main color-preference tendencies in Japan, China, and Indonesia, 490 subjects (175 Japanese, 158 Chinese, and 157 Indonesian) were asked to choose from a color chart the three colors they liked most and the three they liked least and to state the reasons for their choices. Analysis of the choices by correspondence analysis showed that each area (country) shows tendencies for unique color preference and that there are statistically significant differences in the frequency of selection of colors of certain hues and tones. However, a high preference for white was common to all areas, along with preferences for some other colors. The successive studies done by the author have shown a common strong preference for white in other Asian areas as well. The reasons given for the choices suggested that associative images based on environmental and cultural aspects may be important influences on color preference.
TL;DR: Results suggest that, rather than a problem in searching complex stimuli, poor searchers have difficulty within stimuli like letters and geometrical shapes which require integration of features within a module of the visual system.
Abstract: This study examined differences between normal and poor readers in the visual-search strategy used to detect a target shape in a background of similar shapes. No differences between the two groups occur in search for simple features (Exps. 1 and 3) and conjunction of features (Exp. 2). However, the performance of the two groups differ on search tasks with multifeatured shapes, in which targets and nontargets differ in both the identity of features and their spatial relationship or in the spatial relationship of features alone. Results suggest that, rather than a problem in searching complex stimuli, poor searchers have difficulty within stimuli like letters and geometrical shapes which require integration of features within a module of the visual system.
TL;DR: In this article, simple motor reaction time and judgment of temporal order are recognized as two methods for estimation of perceptual latency, but the results obtained by the methods under the same conditions do not agree.
Abstract: Simple motor reaction time and judgment of temporal order are commonly recognized as two methods for estimation of perceptual latency. Unfortunately, the results obtained by the methods under the same conditions do not agree. We review hypotheses attempting to explain the disagreement. Although some of these seem to be promising, no one at present could be fully accepted.
TL;DR: There are no significant correlations between students' cumulative grade point average and ratings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.
Abstract: This study investigated the proposed link between students' academic performance and burnout. We found no significant correlations between students' cumulative grade point average and ratings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.
TL;DR: During motor imagery, to estimate changes in excitability of flexor carpi radialis muscle motoneurons of the spinal and cortical levels, electrical stimuli for recording H-reflex and transcranial magnetic stimulation for recording motor evoked potentials were used.
Abstract: During motor imagery, to estimate changes in excitability of flexor carpi radialis muscle motoneurons of the spinal and cortical levels, electrical stimuli for recording H-reflex and transcranial m
TL;DR: Analysis of the mnemonic effect of music on recall of verbal material which contained no unfamiliar words showed better over-all recall in the song condition with evidence of greater chunking of material.
Abstract: It has been demonstrated that musical accompaniment may aid recall of words. This study examined the mnemonic effect of music on recall of verbal material which contained no unfamiliar words over three presentations. 20 participants (average age 21.9 yr.) were randomly allocated to one of two experimental conditions and heard the to-be-remembered lyrics either being sung or read aloud without musical accompaniment. Analysis of both total number of words correctly recalled and the extent of chunking of recalled material showed better over-all recall in the song condition with evidence of greater chunking of material.
TL;DR: The 4 “great” U.S. Presidents, as listed in the 1982 Murray-Blessing Poll, were significantly taller than the 5 considered “failures” (M = 70.80 in.), consistent with previous research on height and status.
Abstract: The 4 “great” U.S. Presidents, as listed in the 1982 Murray-Blessing Poll, were significantly taller (M = 74.63 in.) than the 5 considered “failures” (M = 70.80 in.), consistent with previous resea...
TL;DR: The right shift (RS) theory of a gene for left-cerebral dominance which increases the probability of right-handedness is outlined, together with two proposed alternatives, the 1985a genetic theory of McManus and the 1993 developmental instability theory of Yeo and Gangestad.
Abstract: The right shift (RS) theory of a gene for left-cerebral dominance which increases the probability of right-handedness is outlined, together with two proposed alternatives, the 1985a genetic theory of McManus and the 1993 developmental instability theory of Yeo and Gangestad. Similarities and differences among the three theories are reviewed. Both of the genetic theories can predict the distribution of handedness in families and in twins more efficiently than the developmental instability theory, and the RS theory better than the McManus theory.
TL;DR: Patients with mild Alzheimer's disease have disturbed interpretation of monocular as well as binocular depth cues, which could lead to optic interventions to improve their visual depth perception.
Abstract: Abnormal depth perception contributes to visuospatial deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Disturbances in stereopsis, motion parallax, and the interpretation of static monocular depth cues may result from neuropathology in the visual cortex. We evaluated 15 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease and 15 controls matched for age, sex, and education on measures of local stereopsis (stereoscopic testing), global stereopsis (random dots), motion parallax (Howard-Dolman apparatus), and monocular depth perception by relative size, interposition, and perspective. Compared to controls, the patients were significantly impaired in over-all depth perception. This impairment was largely due to disturbances in local stereopsis and in the interpretation of depth from perspective, independent of other visuospatial functions. Patients with Alzheimer's disease have disturbed interpretation of monocular as well as binocular depth cues. This information could lead to optic interventions to improve their visual depth perception.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined psychological affect at different ratings of perceived exertion in 15 high and 15 low-active women during three steady-state exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer at RPEs 9, 13, and 17 and reported their affect in the last 20 sec. of and 5 min after each work rate.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine psychological affect at different ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) in 15 high- and 15 low-active women. Both groups performed three steady-state exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer at RPEs 9, 13, and 17 and reported their affect in the last 20 sec. of and 5 min. after each work rate. There were no differences between groups in percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (% VO2max) at each RPE. Low-active women reported feeling significantly more negative at RPE 17 than RPE 9 and less positive than the high-active women at RPEs 9, 13, and 17. In addition, all subjects reported more positive feelings 5 min. postexercise than in the last 20 sec. of exercising, especially at RPE 17. These results have implications for exercise prescription in groups differing in habitual activity levels.
TL;DR: Results justify the application of multiplate posturography as an ancillary tool in measuring objectively the effects of fatigue and circadian changes as well as the interaction between endogenous chronobiological processes and their external conditioning factors (Zeitgebers).
Abstract: The sensitivity of postural responses to the effects of work fatigue and circadian changes was explored in a pilot study using a specific method of multiplate posturography based on the differential assessment of vertical pressure on four separate platforms for each heel and set of toes of each foot, respectively. 8 normal subjects, M.D.s, were given six posturographic examinations immediately before and after three 8-hr. work shifts in the emergency room of a major hospital in Tel-Aviv. 3 posturographic measures (stability, spectral power of postural sway at low frequency of 0.1–0.25 Hz, and unilateral weakening of heel-toe synchronisation) were significantly affected by work fatigue whilst also showing interaction with circadian rhythm. 2 additional measures (power of sway at high frequency of 1.00–3.00 Hz and dysharmonic distribution of weight over the four platforms) were not related to workload but showed significant circadian changes. These effects appeared only on positions involving restricted vis...
TL;DR: Australian schoolchildren indicated their current and ideal body sizes by means of Collins' pictorial figures, and about a half of underweight children slightly overestimated their body sizes but only one child overestimated grossly.
Abstract: Szrmmary.-244 Australian schoolchildren aged between 8 and 12 years indicated their current and ideal body sizes by means of Collins' pictorial figures. Children's height and weight were also measured. Body-mass indices were calculated from these data, and percentile ranks estimated according to international reference data. Consistent with CoUins' findings, 39% of girls and 26% of boys wanted to be thinner than they perceived themselves to be; however, this desire was strongly related to actual body size so the percentages were very diEferent for weight categories established on the basis of Body Mass Index. In the overweight quartile, 76% of girls and 56% of boys wanted to be thinner, whereas in the underweight quartile only 10% of girls and no boys wanted to be thinner. The response of overweight children may be sensible, but the desire of some undenveight girls to be even thinner is of concern. Some recent literature suggests that underweight individuals tend to overestimate their body sizes. About a half of our undenveight children slightly overestimated their body sizes but only one child overestimated grossly. Distorted estimation of body size has been implicated in the etiology of eating disorders, and often it has been noted that anorexic and bhic wornen tend to overestimate their current body sizes (e.g., Hamilton & Waller, 1993; Sunday, Halrni, Werdann, & Levey, 1992). However, some recent reports have suggested that these clinical populations are no more inaccurate than women without eating cbsorders when actual body size is introduced as a control variable (Fernandez, Probst , Meermann, & Vandereycken, 1994; Williamson, Cubic, & Gleaves, 1993). These observations suggest it would be useful to incorporace a measure such as Body Mass Index into research on people's perceptions of body size. Most research on eating disorders has been done with adolescent and young adult populations but insufficient is known about the developmental antecedents of these disorders in childhood. In response to this dearth of knowledge studies are beginning to appear which describe children's body image and attitudes to eating, dieting, and other weight control behaviours (e.g., Gustafson-Larson & Terry, 1992; Hd, Draper, & Stack, 1994; Hdl, Oliver, & Rogers, 1992; Koff & Rierdan, 1991; Maloney, McGuire, Daniels, & Specker, 1989; Sasson, Lewin, & Roth, 1995; Thelen, Powell, Lawrence, & Kuhnert, 1992). With variations of populations and methods, these stud
TL;DR: Records of all accidental deaths in the USA for a 3-yr.
Abstract: Records of all accidental deaths in the USA for a 3-yr. period suggest that the minimal sleep loss associated with the spring shift to Daylight Savings Time produces a short-term increase of the li...
TL;DR: Results suggest that language-impaired children perceive temporal aspects of acoustic stimuli as well as their normally developing peers and attentional mechanisms may play an important role in the difficulties they exhibit in auditory processing.
Abstract: Recently there has been renewed interest in the auditory processing capabilities of children with specific language impairment. In this study, eight children with specific language impairment and eight nonimpaired, age-matched peers completed a task to assess temporal resolution abilities. Children were asked to detect a tone in three masking conditions wherein the masker contained silent gaps of 0 msec., 40 msec., or 64 msec. in duration. Thresholds were measured in each masking condition at 500 Hz and 2000 Hz. Across the groups, thresholds decreased (improved) significantly as a function of increases in the duration of the gaps. Children in the two groups exhibited remarkably similar thresholds for the three masking conditions. However, children with specific language impairment required a significantly greater number of ascending trials to achieve the threshold criterion than did age-matched children. Results suggest that language-impaired children perceive temporal aspects of acoustic stimuli as well as their normally developing peers. Attentional mechanisms may play an important role in the difficulties they exhibit in auditory processing.