Representational Momentum in the Expertise Context: Support for the Theory of Event Coding as an Explanation for Action Anticipation

Abstract

This study aimed to extend the notion of the theory of event coding as an explanation of action anticipation in expert sport performers. This was achieved by investigating the degree with which automatic anticipation depends on the ecological congruency between the perceived action and its distal effect. In a novel approach, the representational momentum paradigm was adopted to address this notion. Expert (N = 16) and novice (N = 20) rugby players observed a dynamic video of a short pass that was displayed as either toward or away from a receiver. Following an occlusion interval, participants were required to judge whether the video resumed at the same place, further forward or further backward than its original stopping place. Experts demonstrated stronger anticipatory tendencies when the action was directed toward the receiver. This relationship was modulated by a leftward directional bias that is discussed in the context of a bias in viewing behavior that is underpinned by attention. Novice anticipatory tendencies were independent of context. These findings show support for the extension of the theory of event coding.

Keywords: action anticipation; expertise; representational momentum; rugby; theory of event coding.

Figure 1

A schematic representation of a trial in the leftward “away” condition. Both the passer and receiver appeared at the same time in the initial frame. The sequence then displays the series of images depicting the passer performing the action either toward or away from the receiver for 850 ms to the position of the last frame prior to disappearing for an occlusion interval of 250 ms and then re-appearing at one of five test frames.

Figure 2

A case example of the distribution of the proportion of “same” responses across each test frame position. The dashed lines represent the point of maximum uncertainty for the “same” responses at each test frame position (note the respective decrease in the point of maximum uncertainty at the two extreme test positions. This would indicate a reduced threshold for uncertainty, or an increased expectation that participants will be more certain about their response in these test frame positions).

Figure 3

Results for the leftward direction. The left-hand side of the figure displays the distribution of the proportion of “same” responses across test frame positions for (A) experts and (C) novices. The right-hand side displays the weighted means for (B) experts and (D) novices. * indicates significant difference from “away” condition at p < 0.05.

Figure 4

Results for the rightward direction. The left-hand side of the figure displays the distribution of the proportion of “same” responses across test frame positions for (A) experts and (C) novices. The right-hand side displays the weighted means for (B) experts and (D) novices.