Moving in Autism/Innovation in Autism Open Seminar
What is Trained Develops!
Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
5 November 2018, 16:00-17:30
Graham Hills Room GH703
University of Strathclyde
In this lecture, the focus will be on how theories of development and learning can be used to understand processes associated with motor behavior. A probabilistic perspective emphasizes that the changes taking place in the development is a result of interaction: structural changes in the nervous system leading to changes in function and behavior and opposite, functional changes resulting in changes in structure. This bidirectional interaction between biological and experiential aspects is a continuous process which cannot be reduced to either organism or environment.
Dynamical systems theory (DST) emphasizes that it is the interaction between the person, the environment, and the task that changes how our movements are, also in terms of how we develop and learn new movements. The interplay between these factors will, over time, lead to changes in motor development. The importance of experience is central to Edelman’s theory of neuronal group selection (NGST). Activation of the nervous system increases the connections between certain areas of the brain, and the selection processes in the brain are a result of enhancement of neural connections involved in a “successful” motion. The central nervous system adapts its structure and function in response to internal and external influences, and hence neural plasticity is a prerequisite for learning and development. In the lecture I will argue that Edelman’s approach supports the theory of specificity of learning.
From the perspectives of probabilistic epigenesis, DST, and NGST, it is possible to argue that that being physically active and having the opportunity to get different movement experiences are of great significance for promoting motor development and learning.
About the Speaker
Hermundur Sigmundsson is a professor in biological psychology, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway. He also has a part-time appointment as a professor in Sport Science at Reykjavik University.
His research are focusing on Learning and Skill Development with main emphasis on getting better understanding of the learning process. He is a leader for the research group on Mind, Brain and Education at NTNU. Sigmundsson has over 70 publications and 7 books.