Testing during Training: Why Does It Enhance Long-Term Motor Task Retention?
Abstract
Retention of movement kinesthetic cues was examined for training methods emphasizing either presentation (p) or test (t) trial repetition. Four groups of governmental employees received training; two learned movement distance, i.e., DISTANCE PRESENTATION (DP), DISTANCE TEST (DT), and two learned end-location, i.e., END-LOCATION PRESENTATION (LP), END-LOCATION TEST (LT). during training each group performed three, 6-trial cycles containing p- and t- trials. P-trials were experimenter-defined study movements terminated by a mechanical stop; t-trials were learner-defined recall movements terminated without the aid of the stop. Training methods differed in their emphasis on p- and t-trials performed during each cycle. Group DT performed cycles containing an initial criterion p-trial followed by five successive t-trials. Group DP performed cycles containing six successive p-trials. The first was the criterion distance, but the next five were yoked in distance to the corresponding t-trials of Group DT. Yoking was also applied to the tow end-location groups, and was done to ensure equal movement variability during training across groups. During retention, each group performed a single t-trial at both 3 minutes and 24 hours after training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA120761
Entities
People
- Joseph D. Hagman
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences