Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction01:24

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

1.5K
Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
1.5K
Motor Unit Stimulation01:20

Motor Unit Stimulation

4.0K
When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
4.0K
Long-term Potentiation01:35

Long-term Potentiation

58.8K
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
58.8K
Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-term Potentiation

3.7K
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when...
3.7K
Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

Hierarchy of Motor Control

6.4K
The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
6.4K
Motor Units01:13

Motor Units

8.5K
The motor unit is a fundamental component of the neuromuscular system and plays a crucial role in coordinating muscle contractions. It consists of a somatic motor neuron, which connects and controls multiple skeletal muscle fibers, forming a single functional segment. The axon of the motor neuron branches out and establishes synaptic connections known as neuromuscular junctions with individual muscle fibers within the motor unit.
Motor units come in different sizes, with smaller units...
8.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Insights Into the Regulation of Salt Tolerance by Flavonoid and Cyanoamino Acid Metabolism in Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids.

Plant direct·2026
Same author

Acupuncture for acute treatment of migraine without aura: A randomized clinical trial.

Headache·2026
Same author

Acupuncture for the Management of Postpartum Uterine Contraction Pain Following Vaginal Delivery: A Protocol for a Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial.

Journal of pain research·2026
Same author

Thalamocortical regulation of prefrontal stability enables abstract rule generalization.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Quantifying stereokinetic depth: Divergence across methods despite robust within-subject precision.

Vision research·2026
Same author

Depth-dependent noise interference reveals scene-structure constraints on contour completion.

Vision research·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 18, 2026

The "Motor" in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning: A Foot-stepping Serial Reaction Time Task
10:39

The "Motor" in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning: A Foot-stepping Serial Reaction Time Task

Published on: May 3, 2018

9.1K

Limited generalization with varied, as compared to specific, practice in short-term motor learning.

Chéla R Willey1, Zili Liu1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.

Acta Psychologica
|November 14, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Varied motor learning practice showed limited benefits over specific practice in a short-term throwing task. This challenges schema theory

Keywords:
LearningMotor skillsVaried practice

More Related Videos

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation
08:04

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Published on: August 23, 2017

8.8K
Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum
07:52

Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum

Published on: February 12, 2017

9.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 18, 2026

The "Motor" in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning: A Foot-stepping Serial Reaction Time Task
10:39

The "Motor" in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning: A Foot-stepping Serial Reaction Time Task

Published on: May 3, 2018

9.1K
Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation
08:04

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Published on: August 23, 2017

8.8K
Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum
07:52

Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum

Published on: February 12, 2017

9.2K

Area of Science:

  • Motor Learning
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Skill Acquisition

Background:

  • Schema theory suggests varied practice enhances motor skill transfer.
  • Specific practice involves repetitive training of a single skill variation.
  • Varied practice involves training multiple variations of a skill.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the prediction that varied practice leads to better motor learning transfer than specific practice.
  • To investigate the role of varied training in short-term motor skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

  • Participants completed a throwing task with pretest, practice, and posttest within one hour.
  • The varied group practiced throwing at 5ft and 9ft targets.
  • The specific group practiced throwing at a 7ft target only.

Main Results:

  • Both groups improved performance from pretest to posttest.
  • The varied group did not outperform the specific group at the trained 7ft target.
  • No significant performance difference was observed at the 11ft target, with slight numerical advantage for varied practice attributed to proximity of training targets.

Conclusions:

  • Varied practice demonstrated a very limited role in short-term motor learning.
  • The findings challenge the broad applicability of schema theory predictions in certain short-term motor learning contexts.