Introductory psychology part B – H5 Motor systems
Motor control is hierarchical
Motor programs (goals) At the highest level of the motor hierarchy, the goals of motor actions are
defined.
motor invariance = the ability to execute the same motor actions with different parts of the
body (see example: writing with different body parts)
Motor execution (muscles)
At the lowest level of the motor
hierarchy, individual muscle fibers are
activated. Simple muscle contractions
can be directly linked to action potentials
in specific neurons
Highest levels in the hierarchy: (SMA,
premotor, prefrontal)
goals and planning of sequences of
movement
Motor cortex (M1): partially involved in
planning of movement, partially in
activating specific (groups of) muscles.
Basal ganglia: selecting and inhibiting
motor actions
Cerebellum: adjusting ongoing
movements
Brainstem: relaying motor signals and
adjusting posture
Spinal cord: direct activation of single
muscle fibers and taking care of reflexes
,
Motor control is hierarchical
Motor programs (goals) At the highest level of the motor hierarchy, the goals of motor actions are
defined.
motor invariance = the ability to execute the same motor actions with different parts of the
body (see example: writing with different body parts)
Motor execution (muscles)
At the lowest level of the motor
hierarchy, individual muscle fibers are
activated. Simple muscle contractions
can be directly linked to action potentials
in specific neurons
Highest levels in the hierarchy: (SMA,
premotor, prefrontal)
goals and planning of sequences of
movement
Motor cortex (M1): partially involved in
planning of movement, partially in
activating specific (groups of) muscles.
Basal ganglia: selecting and inhibiting
motor actions
Cerebellum: adjusting ongoing
movements
Brainstem: relaying motor signals and
adjusting posture
Spinal cord: direct activation of single
muscle fibers and taking care of reflexes
,
