Chunking and consolidating processes during physical and observational practice

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Arnaud Boutin, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Cristina Massen, from 12/2011 until 7/2013
• Subject Area: General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 209808509

The primary purpose of the present proposal is to investigate the cognitive processes underlying the formation and consolidation of motor chunks (Verwey, 1994). In four behavioural experiments, using a complex sequential movement task, we want to determine the cognitive underpinnings of the chunking process by contrasting physical and observational practice conditions. The second purpose is to assess the consolidating mechanisms underlying the formation of motor chunks in long-term memory following physical and observational practice. In addition, we further want to test the relative contribution of the time rest and time in sleep to the consolidation of motor chunks, i.e., does the consolidating process of motor chunks operate sleep- or time-specific?

• DFG Programme: Research Grants