title: Perceptual or motor learning in SRT tasks with complex sequence structures.
abstract: We investigated under which conditions sequence learning in a serial reaction time task can be based on perceptual learning. A replication of the study of Mayr (1996) confirmed perceptual and motor learning when sequences were learned concurrently. However, between-participants manipulations of the motor and perceptual sequences only supported motor learning in cases of more complex deterministic and probabilistic sequence structures. Perceptual learning using a between-participants design could only be established with a simple deterministic sequence structure. The results seem to imply that perceptual learning can be facilitated by a concurrently learned motor sequence. Possibly, concurrent learning releases necessary attentional resources or induces a structured learning condition under which perceptual learning can take place. Alternatively, the underlying mechanism may rely on binding between the perceptual and motor sequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive and Physiological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. Natacha.Deroost@vub.ac.be
authors.forename: Natacha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Deroost
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Soetens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010465:Perception; D011930:Reaction Time