This study evaluated the effect of uncertainty of movement, as a source of environmental stimuli, on the RT and movement time of 8- and 10-yr.-old mildly retarded and normal boys and girls during a 4.6-m run. With uncertainty of movement, retarded subjects (6 boys, 9 girls) displayed significant increases in both RT and movement time. For normal children (10 boys, 10 girls), no change in performance was noted as the task was simple. These results highlighted the notion of skill constancy and the importance of controlling potential stimuli during skill acquisition.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BachelderB. L., & DennyM. R.A theory of intelligence: 1. Span and the complexity of stimulus control. Intelligence, 1977, 1, 127–150.
2.
BruntD., & DistefanoE. A.The effect of movement uncertainty on reaction and movement times of learning disabled and normal boys. Canadian Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, in press.
3.
FrancisR. J., & RarickG. L.Motor characteristics of the mentally retarded. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1959, 63, 729–811.
4.
GentileA. M.A working model of skill acquisition with application to teaching. Quest, 1972, 17, 3–23.
5.
HiggensJ. R., & SpaethR. K.Relationship between consistency of movement and environmental condition. Quest, 1972, 17, 61–69.
6.
KeoghJ.Consistency and constancy in pre-school motor development. In MullerH. J.DeckerR., & SchillingF. (Eds.), Motor behavior of pre-school children. Schorndorff: Hoffman, 1975. Pp. 264–267.
7.
RarickG. L.DobbinsD. A., & BroadheadG. D.The motor domain and its correlates in educationally handicapped children. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1976.
8.
RarickG. L.WiddopJ. H., & BroadheadG. D.The physical fitness and motor performance of educable mentally retarded children. Exceptional Children, 1970, 36, 509–519.
