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Analyzing variable behavioral contingencies: are certain complex skills homologous with locomotion?
1The Mechner Foundation, New York, NY 10019, USA. fmechner@panix.com
Behavioural Processes
|January 7, 2009
Summary
Behavioral contingencies in locomotion and reading share striking similarities, involving processing upcoming segments and formulating motor behavior. This suggests locomotion may be a foundational skill for other complex behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Cognitive science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Behavioral contingencies often change dynamically based on time, individual actions, or social interactions.
- Complex skills like locomotion and reading involve intricate sequences of perception, processing, and motor control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the behavioral contingencies underlying locomotion and reading aloud.
- To explore potential parallels between locomotion and other complex cognitive and motor skills.
Main Methods:
- Detailed analysis of the behavioral contingencies involved in locomotion and reading aloud.
- Analogical comparison of the processing and motor formulation phases in both activities.
Main Results:
- Locomotion and reading aloud exhibit virtually identical behavioral contingencies.
- Both activities require processing upcoming segments, formulating motor behavior, and buffering for smooth transitions.
- Both involve error correction and adaptation to encountered stimuli, with foresight playing a crucial role.
Conclusions:
- Locomotion serves as a potential phylogenetic prototype and biological homologue for various complex skills.
- The findings suggest a unifying principle in the behavioral control of sequential actions across different domains.
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