%0 Journal Article %1 Mechsner:2001 %A Mechsner, Franz %A Kerzel, Dirk %A Knoblich, Günther %A Prinz, Wolfgang %D 2001 %J Nature %K bimanual coordination, movements movements, parallel perception, symmetric %N 6859 %P 69-73 %T Perceptual basis of bimanual coordination %V 414 %X Periodic bimanual movements are often the focus of studies of the basic organizational principles of human actions. In such movements there is a typical spontaneous tendency towards mirror symmetry. Even involuntary slips from asymmetrical movement patterns into symmetry occur, but not vice versa. Traditionally, this phenomenon has been interpreted as a tendency towards co-activation of homologous muscles, probably originating in motoric neuronal structures. Here we provide evidence contrary to this widespread assumption. We show for two prominent experimental models bimanual finger oscillation and bimanual four-finger tapping that the symmetry bias is actually towards spatial, perceptual symmetry, without regard to the muscles involved. We suggest that spontaneous coordination phenomena of this kind are purely perceptual in nature. In the case of a bimanual circling model, our findings reveal that highly complex, even `impossible' movements can easily be performed with only simple visual feedback. A `motoric' representation of the performed perceptual oscillation patterns is not necessary. Thus there is no need to translate such a `motoric' into a `perceptual' representation or vice versa, using `internal models' (ref. 29). We suggest that voluntary movements are organized by way of a representation of the perceptual goals, whereas the corresponding motor activity, of sometimes high complexity, is spontaneously and exibly tuned in.

@article{Mechsner:2001, abstract = {Periodic bimanual movements are often the focus of studies of the basic organizational principles of human actions. In such movements there is a typical spontaneous tendency towards mirror symmetry. Even involuntary slips from asymmetrical movement patterns into symmetry occur, but not vice versa. Traditionally, this phenomenon has been interpreted as a tendency towards co-activation of homologous muscles, probably originating in motoric neuronal structures. Here we provide evidence contrary to this widespread assumption. We show for two prominent experimental models bimanual finger oscillation and bimanual four-finger tapping that the symmetry bias is actually towards spatial, perceptual symmetry, without regard to the muscles involved. We suggest that spontaneous coordination phenomena of this kind are purely perceptual in nature. In the case of a bimanual circling model, our findings reveal that highly complex, even `impossible' movements can easily be performed with only simple visual feedback. A `motoric' representation of the performed perceptual oscillation patterns is not necessary. Thus there is no need to translate such a `motoric' into a `perceptual' representation or vice versa, using `internal models' (ref. 29). We suggest that voluntary movements are organized by way of a representation of the perceptual goals, whereas the corresponding motor activity, of sometimes high complexity, is spontaneously and exibly tuned in.}, added-at = {2009-06-26T15:25:19.000+0200}, author = {Mechsner, Franz and Kerzel, Dirk and Knoblich, G{\"u}nther and Prinz, Wolfgang}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2b399bc887bb5311ff25a55340f952db9/butz}, comment = {Bimanuelle Bewegungen werden perceptuel koordiniert. Beispiel Zeigefinger hin und her bewegen, Tapping, Kurbel drehen usw. Wenn die visuelle Komponente der Bewegung passt, können rein motorisch auch sehr merkwürdie BEwegungen gemacht werden, was sonst nie gehen würde.}, description = {diverse cognitive systems bib}, interhash = {1ae0d352b3e372e2adeb0d2f8af096e6}, intrahash = {b399bc887bb5311ff25a55340f952db9}, journal = {Nature}, keywords = {bimanual coordination, movements movements, parallel perception, symmetric}, number = 6859, owner = {martin}, pages = {69-73}, timestamp = {2009-06-26T15:25:47.000+0200}, title = {Perceptual basis of bimanual coordination}, volume = 414, year = 2001 }