5.2: information processing
information processing: the system by which we take information from our surrounding environment,
used it to make a decision and then produce a response
[input → decision-making → output]
*Input and output are assessable/observable, but decision-making can only be speculation
Input: what the performer can
see, hear or feel (stimulus)
Output: how the performer
responds to the stimulus
Process and decision-making (CNS): stimulus is processed by the performer’s brain and spinal cord
Feedback: it’s often given and allows to modify the response to make it better next time if necessary
Welford’s model of information processing
effector control: network of nerves carries a message to the relevant muscles
effector: action is performed with reference to movement patterns (muscular contractions take place to
perform the required movement)
feedback: after the response, feedback can be intrinsic (kinaesthesis) or extrinsic (from coach).
information about the movement can be fed back into the effector mechanism allowing corrections to be
made as the movement proceeds.
sense organs: receive
information from our senses
perception: process by which
the brain makes sense of
stimuli received. Info is
perceived and filtered into
relevant and irrelevant.
Welford’s model of information processing
This information picked by the senses is filtered by selective attention so that only relevant information is
retained and confusion is avoided. Selective attention looks out for anticipated stimuli
5.2: information processing 1
, short-term store: stores large amounts of info for a very short time; inputs that are seen as relevant to
the decision are stored in the short-term memory
decision making: a decision is made by comparing the information in short-term memory with previous
experiences stored in the long-term memory
long-term memory: selected stimuli are compared to past experiences stored in the long-term memory to
select the appropriate response
effector control: a network of nerves that carries a message to the relevant muscles
effector: action is performed with reference to the movement patterns (muscular contractions take place
and perform the required movement)
feedback: after the response, feedback is given. It can be intrinsit (kinaesthesis) or extrinsic (from coach).
feedback plays an important role in movement execution → info. about the movement can be fed back
into the effector mechanism allowing corrections. feedback also goes back in the perceptual mechanism
Process:
1. Interceptors/exteroceptors or sense organs detect input
2. Information from intrinsic or extrinsic feedback is retrieved
3. Brain makes sense of the stimuli → perception
4. Selective attention perceives relevant information (signal detection process)
5. Short-term sensory store stores briefly the information
6. Necessary info is passed on to the short-term memory
7. Info from short-term memory and previous experience (stored in long-term memory) is compared
to make a decision
8. Info of the decision is sent through nerves to relevant muscles
9. Feedback is received → action and results are stored for future actions
10. repeat.
Components associated with sensory inputs
Exteroceptors:
-provide info about the external environment
-cutaneous/tactical exteroceptors → skin
-special exteroceptors present in head
Types of exteroceptors
Auditory/sound/hearing (teammate’s calls, official’s whistle, verbal feedback)
Visual/sight/seeing (teammate moving, opposition position, official’s gesture, coach signal)
Tactile/touch/feeling (contact with the opponent, contact with ball, contact with ground)
Olfactory/smell/smelling (pitch, sweat)
Thermoreceptors (ability to detect temp. of air and gear)
5.2: information processing 2
information processing: the system by which we take information from our surrounding environment,
used it to make a decision and then produce a response
[input → decision-making → output]
*Input and output are assessable/observable, but decision-making can only be speculation
Input: what the performer can
see, hear or feel (stimulus)
Output: how the performer
responds to the stimulus
Process and decision-making (CNS): stimulus is processed by the performer’s brain and spinal cord
Feedback: it’s often given and allows to modify the response to make it better next time if necessary
Welford’s model of information processing
effector control: network of nerves carries a message to the relevant muscles
effector: action is performed with reference to movement patterns (muscular contractions take place to
perform the required movement)
feedback: after the response, feedback can be intrinsic (kinaesthesis) or extrinsic (from coach).
information about the movement can be fed back into the effector mechanism allowing corrections to be
made as the movement proceeds.
sense organs: receive
information from our senses
perception: process by which
the brain makes sense of
stimuli received. Info is
perceived and filtered into
relevant and irrelevant.
Welford’s model of information processing
This information picked by the senses is filtered by selective attention so that only relevant information is
retained and confusion is avoided. Selective attention looks out for anticipated stimuli
5.2: information processing 1
, short-term store: stores large amounts of info for a very short time; inputs that are seen as relevant to
the decision are stored in the short-term memory
decision making: a decision is made by comparing the information in short-term memory with previous
experiences stored in the long-term memory
long-term memory: selected stimuli are compared to past experiences stored in the long-term memory to
select the appropriate response
effector control: a network of nerves that carries a message to the relevant muscles
effector: action is performed with reference to the movement patterns (muscular contractions take place
and perform the required movement)
feedback: after the response, feedback is given. It can be intrinsit (kinaesthesis) or extrinsic (from coach).
feedback plays an important role in movement execution → info. about the movement can be fed back
into the effector mechanism allowing corrections. feedback also goes back in the perceptual mechanism
Process:
1. Interceptors/exteroceptors or sense organs detect input
2. Information from intrinsic or extrinsic feedback is retrieved
3. Brain makes sense of the stimuli → perception
4. Selective attention perceives relevant information (signal detection process)
5. Short-term sensory store stores briefly the information
6. Necessary info is passed on to the short-term memory
7. Info from short-term memory and previous experience (stored in long-term memory) is compared
to make a decision
8. Info of the decision is sent through nerves to relevant muscles
9. Feedback is received → action and results are stored for future actions
10. repeat.
Components associated with sensory inputs
Exteroceptors:
-provide info about the external environment
-cutaneous/tactical exteroceptors → skin
-special exteroceptors present in head
Types of exteroceptors
Auditory/sound/hearing (teammate’s calls, official’s whistle, verbal feedback)
Visual/sight/seeing (teammate moving, opposition position, official’s gesture, coach signal)
Tactile/touch/feeling (contact with the opponent, contact with ball, contact with ground)
Olfactory/smell/smelling (pitch, sweat)
Thermoreceptors (ability to detect temp. of air and gear)
5.2: information processing 2
