The Effect of Various Strategies on the Acquisition, Retention, and Transfer of a Serial Positioning Task
Abstract
In order to analyze the effectiveness of various learner strategies upon initial learning, learning retention, and subsequent transfer of a motor skill, 50 college-age subjects were randomly assigned to one of five strategy conditions: imagery, kinesthetic, labeling, informed-choice, and control. The task, with a curvilinear repositioning apparatus, required subjects to replicate six limb movements to predetermined criterion locations. Following the learning trials, subjects were administered a retention test, followed by a transfer task involving 6 new criterion positions. Separate analyses for each of four dependent variables--absolute error (AE), constant error (CE), variable error (VE), and percent of correct responses--revealed 'imagers' to be more accurate and less variable in their responses than the four other groups. However, control subjects displayed greater accuracy and less variability than either the kinesthetic, labeling, or informed-choice groups. Such results suggest the importance of implementing strategies that are compatible with individual cognitive styles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA081995
Entities
People
- Richard F. Gerson
- Robert N. Singer
- Susan Ridsdale
Organizations
- Florida State University