Rate accuracy in handwheel cranking

Abstract

15 Ss cranked a handwheel, in a clockwise direction, at each of 5 rates of speed combined with each of 3 different handwheel radii; another 15 Ss cranked the same rate-radii; combinations counter-clockwise. The Ss were required to achieve the required rate by maintaining alignment between a target and indicator. At lower handwheel speeds, rate-accuracy improved with increases in the linear rate of movement for a constant angular rate; at higher angular speeds an inverse relationship appeared between linear rate and accuracy. For constant linear rates accuracy improved with increased angular rate up to about 175 rpm. No significant difference in accuracy appeared between the two directions of movement, but counterclockwise cranking resulted in significantly greater tendency to lag in rate. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)