Analysis of perceptual‐motor performance in terms of periodic activity

Abstract

The application of statistical periodic analysis (Fisher, 1929), made it possible to detect cyclic activity in human perceptual‐motor performance. Subjects performed a task for three sessions of one hour. Using Fisher's analysis the leading periodic component for each session was computed. The frequency of activity in the first, session was related to neuroticism scores and independent of extra‐version scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The frequency of activity increased over sessions. The correlation table showed the measure to be reliable between sessions. Cyclic activity has thus been shown to be an integrated part of the individuals’ total activity on a perceptual‐motor task.

Abstracting keywords:

• Perceptual‐Motor performance cycles

Notes

Dept of Applied Psychology, College House, Univ. of Aston, Gosta Green, Birmingham B4 7ET, Great Britain.