Postrest performance in motor learning as a function of prerest degree of distribution of practice.

Abstract

Summary of results 1. As in previous expts. distributed practice facilitated the performance of an inverted alphabet-printing task. 2. After a 5-min. rest the massed-practice group showed a significant amt. of reminiscence. 3. The postrest performance of the massed and distributed groups was not significantly unequal. There was no evidence of a permanent work decrement. There was, however, a significant trial-to-trial effect with a marked decrease in performance from the 1st to the 2d postrest trial and therefore a slow increase in performance. 4. When practice was redefined as the making of a response rather than the time during which a response is made, the 4 sets of three means of postrest performance were adjusted on the basis of the number of previously made responses. This adjustment was done through a series of analyses of covariance and the differences between the means were statistically significant. The adjusted performance of the massed group was superior to that of the distributed groups for the 4 postrest trials. 5. A possible explanation of this postrest superiority of massed practice, in terms of adjusted means, over distributed practice was offered.