The effect of restricted manipulative experience on problem solving.
The literature has described restricted active movement as a contributing factor to a general state of distress, behavioral disruption, and cognitive disturbance under experimental conditions and suggests similar effects may result from chronic illness or physical disability. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of short-term restructed active movement in the upper extremities, specifically with regard to object manipulation, on problem-solving ability. A two-factor design was employed involving 60 male college students ranging in age from 18 to 24. The variables were: restricted versus free manipulation, and easy versus difficult arrangements of a Dunker-type candle problem. An analysis of the variance revealed no significant interaction between problem difficulty and manipulative condition. The restricted manipulation condition produced significantly lower solution times than the free manipulation condition. Observations on the significance of sensory experience arising from active movement and relevant implications for the health care professions are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D011434:Proprioception; D014110:Touch