Motor Control in Keyboard Tasks and Research on Morse Code Copy
Abstract
A review of biomechanical and motor behavior characteristics of rapid finger responses and current issues in motor behavior is related to development of the skill of receiving Morse code. Previous research on Morse code provides the background for three experiments described in this report that investigated the organization of component processes in the Morse code copy task, with particular attention to the motor response. Experiment(1) examined the effects of variables related to component processes of the Morse code copy task. Experiment (2) studied the motor response component of the copy task, Experiment (3) analyzed cognitive organization and response preparation for a motor task using Morse code stimuli. The principal findings were that the pattern of elements constituting a Morse code signal was the only significant variable influencing response time; vocal reaction time to Morse code was longer than keyboard entry of the character; subjects separated into groups based on their ability to perform the speeded Morse copy task; and successful subjects demonstrated evidence of superior response organization and preparation. The results help clarify the process of skill acquisition in the Morse code copy task and suggest implications for predicting successful performers and for improving training methods.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA257679
Entities
People
- Patricia A. Mullins
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute