Trevor+Butler

Trevor Butler ISP Proposal

Title Mnemonics Effects on Muscle Memory

Problem Can mnemonics be used to improve one's ability to shoot free-throws while blindfolded?

Introduction Memory is defined as the process by which the human brain stores and retrieves information in/from the brain. The Hippocampus is an important structure within the brain that is key in the memory process. Memories are (You have two 'are's here. -Eleanor) formed when connections are formed between the hippocampus and neuronal cells in the brain. These connections are strengthened through a process, called Long-term Potentiation (LTP). Neurotransmitters are continuously fired across a synapse, the structure between two neurons, in order to lower the energy needed to send an electrical signal, called an action potential (Waldron). This connection between the neurons allows our brain to communicate with itself quicker by associating the two neurons with each other.

Mnemonics is a mechanical technique in which a person associates two different things in order to improve their memory (Memory). These associations are often formed between a certain memory and our senses,an example being our association of the color orange with the smell of orange juice. Although this process appears to be highly complex, humans are not the only species that harness this ability. Australian professor, Mandyam Srinivasan, has conducted studies that suggest that honey bees are also able to associate specific smells with corresponding colors (Bees). (Having an example makes it a lot easier to understand what the experiment is about, good job. The transition into the next paragraph isn't extremely smooth though. -Eleanor)

When someone begins to learn how to perform complex tasks, such as playing a piano, they are clumsy and uncoordinated. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the human brain performs more efficiently when someone in not consciously controlling each individual movement. The brains solution to this problem is Muscle Memory. As one continues to practice these complex task, there(sp) movement gradually become more fluent. This improvement is due to the fact that our brains have recorded the information needed to perform the task. Thus the need for conscious thought is eliminated and our brains can perform these tasks by itself (MacDonald).

Hypothesis If a Basketball player uses mnemonics to associate shooting a free throw to a certain song, then their ability to accurately shoot free throws while blindfolded should be increased when they are listening to that song.

Materials (Are you having people come to the gym for you? If so, how many people? Is there a specific number of guys or girls, specific ages, athletic ability? -Eleanor)
 * Access to a gym (with a basketball court, and basketballs at least 2 ): $ 100
 * Lab notebook
 * pencils: $ 5
 * Music player, either personal I-pods, 1 for each test subject that will listen to music, (with headphones) or 1 big radio: Radio $ 50-80, Personal I-pods 5 x 200 = $ 1000
 * Song to play, meltdown by Rin kagamine: $ 1-10
 * A blindfold: $ 2
 * 10 volunteer Test subjects.

Methods
 * 1) Meet all test subjects at the gym.
 * 2) Gather basketballs, Lab notebook, blindfold, and pens.
 * 3) Have one of the test subjects step up to the free throw line.
 * 4) Blind fold the test subject.
 * 5) Immediately after blindfolding the test subject have them shoot a free-throw.
 * 6) Record observations about the shot in the lab notebook. Where it hit and how many points it received ( A made shot=3 points, hit the rim = 2, hit the backboard = 1, and an air-ball = 0).
 * 7) Repeat step 6 for 20 shots.
 * 8) Repeat steps 3-7 for each test subject.
 * 9) Compare all the scores and group the closest scores together. (These scores will be the constants that later results will be compared to)
 * 10) Divide the groups into a music group,( group A), and non-music groups (group B), by dividing up the previously paired groups, group A and group B should be almost equally skilled/scored.
 * 11) Instruct each test subject to practice 50 extra free throws each day for a week on top of what they would normally shoot in a day. Group A should listen to music and group B should not listen to music. (If need be provide test subjects with money to buy the song) Also make it clear that if it violates their religious beliefs they may take Sunday off but should make the shots up, also if they miss a day for any other reason they should make the shots up before the next time they are tested.
 * 12) Calculate each individuals and each groups accuracy and precision.
 * 13) After a week, return to the gym with all of the test subjects.
 * 14) Repeat steps 2-8 but have group A listen to music while they are shooting. Group B should not listen to music.
 * 15) Calculate each test subjects increase/ decrease in score, as well as measure of central tendencies and each test subject's accuracy and precision.
 * 16) Calculate the increase/ decrease in score, as well as measure of central tendencies and each group's accuracy and precision.
 * 17) Repeat steps 11-16 4 times.
 * 18) Calculate the total increase/ decrease in score for each individual and each group for all 5 weeks. Record increase both in percentage of increase, and total points.
 * 19) Calculate the average measure of central tendencies and the accuracy and precision for each group and each individual.

What is the point in blindfolding the subjects? Maybe mention something about it in your background and explain how vision might alter your data. (Savanah Weston) Trevor, great start but I think there might be too many 'additional' complications to this procedure that could be eliminated. What is the purpose of the safety goggles? If you decide to take away the blindfold aspect

Works Cited

“Bees Vie for Prizes Behind Colored Doors.” Today's Science. Infobase Learning, Apr. 1999. Web. 23 Oct. 2013

MacDonald, Allan. "Redirect Notice." Redirect Notice. N.p., 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 25 Oct. 2013

“Memory.” Today's Science. Infobase Learning, Web. 8 Oct. 2013

Waldron, Patricia. “Memories Without Counting Sheep.” Today's Science. Infobase Learning, Nov. 2009. Web. 21 Oct. 2013