Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Inhibition; Motor learning; Verbal learning; Academic theses;

Abstract

Motor learning and its applications have been extensively studied, particularly in the area of sports physiology and kinesiology. From these fields, many theories of movement and its control mechanisms have evolved. Previous research has drawn upon these theatrical principles to investigate the specific parameters of skilled movements, specifically the time required to complete an action. In particular, a finger-lift task has been used to study the refractory period during which a motor program can not be inhibited when trained to occur at a particular temporal target (Slater-Hammel, 1959). The current study applies key methodological concepts from Slater-Hammel's work to examine speech motor control in typical speakers. The project answers the following research questions:

I. Can participants learn to manipulate a sweep hand using their voice?

2. What is the absolute (100 percent) inhibition threshold for production of the multi-syllabic word "annulment"?

3. What is the threshold at which one half of the spoken responses for "annulment" can be inhibited?

Specifically, this study aims to determine the threshold for inhibiting a speech task. Results of the study provide insight into motor programming in neurologically intact adults. Implications for the assessment of motor speech disorders are discussed.

Year of Submission

2009

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

First Advisor

Carlin F. Hageman

Second Advisor

Angela N. Burda

Third Advisor

James Kelly

Comments

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Date Original

2009

Object Description

1 PDF file (52 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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