Stability and Flexibility in the Acquisition of Skilled Movement

Abstract

The process by which new motor skills emerge has been a fundamental question in developmental psychology. One issue that must be faced when learning a new skill is the requirement that skilled movements be both stable and flexible. In this chapter, we explore how infants resolve the inherent tension between newly emerging stability and flexible adaptation. We illustrate these dual themes by examining how infants learn to reach out and grab objects. We show that infants begin learning to reach with flexibility in the neuromotor system, as well as constraints on coordination patterns. This combination allows for multiple solutions while still limiting the nearly endless possibilities. Furthermore, we show that stability and flexibility can be thought of as part of the same dynamic system, reflecting the interconnectedness and redundancy of the neuromotor system.