Effects of Practice and Training on the Acquisition and Transfer of Spatial Skills Two Speed-Accuracy Studies
Abstract
Two experiments on the effects of practice on the acquisition and transfer of spatial skills were conducted. Both used the methodology of the speed-accuracy study to generate performance curves for each subject in each condition. In the first experiment, subjects practiced either rotating or assembling polygons. They then attempted either a transfer rotation or assembly task that presented either practiced or nonpracticed stimuli. In the second experiment, subjects practiced assembling forms for three sessions in one of four conditions and later were administered the same assembly posttest used in Experiment 1. There were several important findings. First, as expected, practice resulted in substantial improvements in performing the same transformation on the same stimulus set. Second, improvements also transferred to tasks that shared the same procedures. Third, improvements transferred even when procedures varied somewhat between practice and test tasks. Fourth, general improvements in spatial assembly skill were obtained when subjects received practice in assembling concrete materials, but not when they received varied practiced on different assembly tasks. Taken together, these studies suggest caution in interpreting scores on spatial tests for subjects who have had differential experience with the procedures they employ. Spatial ability, Speed- accuracy, Transfer, Mental rotation, Mental assembly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 25, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA270870
Entities
People
- David F. Lohman
Organizations
- University of Iowa