A note on motor learning without post-response knowledge of results.
The common conclusion that some form of extrinsic post-response error information is necessary in order for subjects to acquire a criterion motor response was contradicted in an experiment using a linear positioning task. Blindfolded subjects moved a lever to a stop and then attempted to replace the lever in the correct location with the stop removed. This procedure was repeated for 12 trials, and knowledge of results was never provided. Absolute and constant errors decreased significantly with practice, suggesting the development of an internal error-detection mechanism in the absence of vision and extrinsic error information. The findings were discussed in terms of recent theoretical positions by Adams (1971) and Schmidt (1975).
a Department of Physical Education , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
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Wrisberg
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Schmidt