The Neural and Behavioural Organization of Goal-Directed Movements (Oxford Psychology Series)

This book deals with a problem central to the relations of brain and behaviour: the organization of goal-directed movements. The importance of movement, not only as a probe for studying brain mechanisms, but also as a clue to psychological functions, has been heralded by such eminent figures as H. von Helmholtz, R. S. Woodworth, C. S. Sherrington, N. Berstein, P. Fitts, and many others. This volume comprises six chapters, centered on the main aspects of the organization of movements. Many questions are raised (very few are answered) concerning the motor mechanisms and their implementation in goal-directed actions. An investigation of a subject at the boundaries of psychology and physiology. The author's account is based upon experimental data from human and animal work with particular emphasis on illustrative clinical cases. The organization of goal-directed movements is a problem central to the relations of brain and behaviour in humans and other animals. Movement represents a clue to the study of brain mechanisms and psychological functions. The use of behaving animals in neurophysiological laboratories has allowed direct investigation of the role of discrete neural mechanisms in controlling motor output. The contribution that these mechanisms make can be assessed by reproducing experimentally the motor syndromes observed in man. Kinematic description of motor responses may be directly transferable to theoretical models of motor systems and to their technological applications such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Finally, the use of concepts derived from cognitive psychology in the study of motor control has opened new fields of investigation concerning the mental representation of goal-directed movements. Goal-directed movement is central to the relationship between brain and behavior in humans and other animals. This book presents a detailed investigation of the topic, one that integrates psychology and physiology. The author's account is based on a large body of experimental data from human and animal work, with particular emphasis on clinical cases. It probes such questions as: Are complex movements organized on the same mode as simple ones? How rigidly organized are coordinated actions like orienting or grasping? Where do visual feedback signals arise? The author's work takes into account the growing acceptance of the idea that movements are not directly dependent upon sensory events, but that they are governed by internal representations which are built according to specific, experimentally accessible rules. 1. Models for the Programming of Goal-Directed Movements 2. The Hierarchical Organization of Visuomotor Coordination 3. The Role of Visual Feedback in Movement Control 4. Directional Coding of Reaching 5. The Role of Position Sense in Movement Control 6. Impairments in Visuomotor Control Following Cortical Lesions An investigation into the role of neural mechanisms in controlling motor output, based on experimental data from human and animal work with particular emphasis on clinical cases. Marc Jeannerod. Includes Indexes. Bibliography: P. 245-271.