Cognitive Science Program. Dissociation of the Central Timekeeper and the Peripheral Implementation Processes in Repetitive Movements

摘要

Wing and Kristofferson (1973) have proposed a two-stage model of timing in repetitive motor behavior which assumes independence of a central timekeeper process and the peripheral implementation system. This model was tested with a patient who has incurred a peripheral motor neuropathy. The patient's inconsistent performance in a periodic tapping task with the afflicted hand was found to be attributable to increased variability in the motor implementation process only. This report, in conjunction with the previous study of Wing et al (1984) in which a Parkinsonian patient was found to have a timekeeper deficit, provides a double dissociation of the timekeeper and implementation processes. Thus, the independence assumption of the Wing and Kristofferson model is supported.