Question

In sensorimotor adaptation paradigms, what is an aftereffect? What are the implications of an aftereffect? What does it mean if one participant has a greater aftereffect than another? Why are aftereffects important?

Answer 1

The aftereffect is the benchmark sign that adaptation has occurred. The strength and quantity of adaptation that has occurred can be measure by the aftereffect.

The number of interactions between the visual and the motor systems dictates the aftereffect and not on the time wearing the prisms (CITE). The aftereffect also does not exhibit the same magnitude as adaptation.

If one participant has a greater aftereffect than another then it indicates a faster adaptation rate that one participant had.

Aftereffects are important because it play a crucial role to determine if a person is able to adapt with his surroundings (what is going on around him). The stronger aftereffect indicates the better adaptation rate which can help to indentify that a person is learning.