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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Published on: December 31, 2013

An effect that counts: Temporally contiguous action effect enhances motor performance.

Noam Karsh^1,2, Zoha Ahmad³, Freud Erez⁴

¹Department of Psychology, Tel-Hai Academic College, Qiryat Shemona, Israel. noamkarsh@gmail.com.

Psychonomic Bulletin & Review

|October 5, 2023

Summary

Temporal contiguity between actions and their effects enhances motor performance. Shorter action-effect delays, especially within a short lag context, improve movement speed and precision.

Keywords:

Action effect Motor performance Reward Temporal contiguity

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Motor Control
Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

Action-effect temporal contiguity is crucial for motor control.
Temporally contiguous action effects may be inherently rewarding, aiding motor learning.
Reinforcement from action effects can reinforce motor program selection.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the promoting impact of action-effect temporal contiguity on motor performance.
To examine how action-effect delay and its temporal contiguity context influence motor control.
To explore the role of reinforcement in action effect and movement control.

Main Methods:

Two experiments involving participants performing rapid mouse movements to a target.
Manipulation of action-effect delay (e.g., 300 ms) and temporal contiguity context (short vs. long lag).
Measurement of motor performance through end-point precision and movement speed.

Main Results:

Temporally contiguous perceptual effects significantly enhanced motor performance (precision and speed).
Motor performance was improved with an ambiguous action-effect delay (300 ms) in a short lag context compared to a long lag context (Experiment 1).
This effect was inconclusive for immediate action effects (Experiment 2).

Conclusions:

The temporal contiguity of action effects plays a vital role in enhancing motor performance.
The context of temporal contiguity (short vs. long lag) significantly modulates the benefits of action effects.
Findings support the role of reinforcement from action effects in motor control and learning.