Motor Experiences Research Articles

Efficacy of art/movement therapy in elevating mood

Increasingly, creative activities are being applied in psychotherapeutic situations. Art and movement (dance) therapy are two creative modalities which have been applied alone and together in the treatment of psychiatric inpatients, and numerous anecdotal accounts indicate that after participating in these therapies individuals do experience better mood and feel closer to the other group members (Alperson, 1974; Rhyne, 1973). However, almost no empirical studies have, in a systematic manner, evaluated the therapeutic effects of either art or movement therapy. Nevertheless, these therapies alone and together have been informally evaluated. For example, movement therapy is said to be effective in alleviating the isolation felt by depressed, psychotic and schizophrenic patients (Chace, 1953), with the structure of the movement group providing a context for building relationships, and the movement activity as such being found to be a satisfying experience (Bernstein, 1972; Whitehouse, 1958). Movement therapy has traditionally been used to evoke unconscious thoughts and feelings which are first dealt with on a movement level and, later, frequently processed verbally following the session (ADTA. 1974). Therapists have noted a reduction in anxiety in participants, as well as enhancement of self-esteem following a movement therapy session (Schoop, 1974). Similarly, activation of the isolated and depressed individual has been an important goal of art therapy (Naumburg, 1966; Ulman, 1975). The art activity interchange is said to form the basis for increased socialization of the withdrawn participant in that individuals who create together have been shown to develop a feeling of group cohesiveness (Kwiatkowska, 1962). By learning how to manipulate art materials, a person may be able to express, through visual imagery, thoughts and feelings that may have been difficult to verbalize, and thus to experience a cathartic and freeing effect. Thus, the graphic expressions are said to be referents that often facilitate communication between one’s inner and outer consciousness (Kramer, 1971; Rhyne, 1973). In addition, the act of creating, learning new skills, and producing something tangible has been found to boost self-esteem and to generate a sense of well-being and pleasure (Stern, 1952; Ulman, 1975). In general, art and movement therapy are utilized independently. However, the combined use of these therapies has more recently become popular (Cane, 1951; Kramer, 1971; Lachman, 1973). Several theoretical considerations seem to encourage a combined use of art forms. Current thinking in psychology suggests that the concept of integrating various sense modalities, such as changing from sensory motor experiences (movement) into more symbolic forms of thinking (art and spoken language), may be useful for

SOME FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INTELLIGENCE AT AGE OF SCHOOL ENTRY

Summary. This study reports the contribution of maternal general ability, some developmental milestones, early motor development, language development, and experiences to intelligence as measured at age five. The results confirm that there is a relatively low level of prediction of intelligence as the multiple correlation of all the independent variables is only 0–61. The implications of the low level of the variance of intelligence explained is discussed.

Effect of the post-weaning environment on the climbing behaviour of wild and domestic Norway rats

The climbing behaviour of wild and domestic Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus) was compared after early rearing in three post-weaning environments offering different climbing experiences. Wild rats climbed in the test apparatus even when denied early climbing experience; male domestic rats did not. Early climbing experience increased the climbing scores of both stocks but influenced the climbing proficiency of wild rats only. Treatment differences in climbing behaviour may be related to specific motor experiences gained during development and the effect of early experience on the response to a novel environment (test apparatus). Stock differences in climbing behaviour may reflect a general reduction in motor activity among domestic rats and their reduced sensitivity to stimulus change or novelty.

Concomitant effects of visual, motor, and verbal experiences in young children's concept development.

Concomitant effects of visual, motor, and verbal experiences in young children's concept development.

Concomitant effects of visual, motor, and verbal experiences in young children's concept development.

Concomitant effects of visual, motor, and verbal experiences in young children's concept development.

An adaptive playground for physically handicapped children.

A preliminary report is made of the Magruder Environmental Therapy Complex (ETC), a new departure in the treatment of children who are physically disabled. Environmental Therapy Complex is an organically planned playground, scaled to match the abilities of the child with a physical handicap. The playground is designed to provide a continuum of perceptual motor experiences and to enable the development of perceptual organization. A unique feature is the capitalization upon the child’s motivation for play. Informal observations show the therapeutic efficacy of Environmental Therapy Complex to be very promising, although conclusive statements must await scientifically sound evaluations.

Effect of urban environment on visual curiosity behavior in rhesus monkeys

Two groups of rhesus monkeys, one captured in bazaar areas of Indian cities and the other in jungle areas, were compared for visual curiosity responses to several stimulus displays of varying complexity. In comparison to the jungle monkeys, urban monkeys showed greater responsiveness to the stimulus displays of higher complexity value. The results were interpreted as suggesting that monkeys from urban areas, as a result of their more varied visual and motor experiences, become psychologically more complex than those from jungle areas.

Instrumental conditioning of nutritive sucking behavior in the newborn.

There is substantial clinical and experimental evidence that the earliest sensory and motor experiences associated with feeding have a profound effect on the behavioral development of animal and man. A method of recording newborn feeding behavior has been evolved in our laboratory that may facilitate investigation of the mechanisms by which experience modifies the behavior of newborn organisms. The apparatus (Fig. 1), appearance of the data (Fig. 2), and methods of data analysis have been previously described in detail [1–4].KeywordsBehavioral ControlNewborn InfantInstrumental ConditioningNutrient FlowFeedback LinkThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

A rationale for crafts for the educable mentally retarded.

A rationale for the contribution of crafts to the self-realization of the educable mentally handicapped child may be provided in philosophy, motor and sensory training, and creativity. Crafts contribute toward the child's expanding concepts of reality, truth, and value. Motor and sensory experiences associated with crafts have prime importance in helping the child to think. Creativity as a process and a product has application for the retarded. The important creative product is the development of a unique individual. The project has prime importance as it contributed to the self-realization of the child and secondary importance as a teaching device.