Dr. Richard Jagacinski (jagacinski.1@osu.edu)
We are a society that highly values skilled movement in contexts such as sports and musical performance. Motion skills are often sophisticated in their behavioral organization and reflect implicit problem solving in coordinating multiple limbs and multiple tasks. Motion patterns can also be used to make inferences about underlying cognitive processes such as selective perception, attention, and memory in the context of action. This lab is developing new measurement techniques so that these underlying dynamic processes can be understood in greater detail. Research assistant opportunities are available for students with two courses in statistics, some computer programming experience and willingness to learn more, and who can participate for at least three semesters.
Tracking a winding roadway
Steering a car is an example of a tracking task that involves both anticipation of the upcoming roadway and correction of unintended deviations from the center of the driving lane. Inferring the dynamic structure of these processes from steering movements provides insight into memory and attention. This work is part of an interdisciplinary project with the College of Engineering to measure individual differences and improve cooperation between people and computers in controlling a car.
Jagacinski, R. J., Hammond, G. H., & Rizzi, E. (2017). Measuring memory and attention to preview in motion. Human Factors, 59, 796-810.
Rhythmic aspects of musical performance and sports
Under what conditions can drummers control their limbs relatively independently? Can golfers control the timing of their weight shift and swing independently? Does this independence confer an advantage for more adaptive and creative performance? We infer the answers to these questions by analyzing movement patterns rather than verbal reports.
Rhythmic Tapping
Tapping Rate (Cycles per Minute)
Jagacinski, R. J., Rizzi,E., Kim, T., Lavender, S. A., Speller, L. F., & Klapp, S. T. (2016). Parallel streams vs. integrated timing in multi-limb pattern generation: A test of Korte’s Third Law. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 42, 1703-1715.
Golf Swing
Kim, T., Jagacinski, R. J., & Lavender, S. A. (2011). Age-related differences in the coordinative structure of the golf swing. Journal of Motor Behavior, 43, 433-444.