Five groups of Ss (Ns of 6 to 8) were rested on a pursuit rotor, using a constant rest-work ratio of 1:2. The work lengths varied from 40 sec. to 5 min.; the rest durations from 20 sec. to 2½ min. The asymptotic mean rates of performance for the groups showed no significant differences. The implications of this finding for the concept of “massed” and “distributed” learning were discussed.
References
1.
AdamsJ., & ReynoldsB.Effect of shift in distribution of practice conditions following interpolated rest. J. exp. Psychol., 1954, 47, 32–36.
2.
AmmonsR. B.Relationship of motivation and method of testing to distribution of practice phenomena in rotary pursuit. Quart. J. exp. Psychol., 1952, 4, 155–164.
3.
ArcherE. J.Posttest performance in motor learning as a function of prerest degree of distribution of practice. J. exp. Psychol., 1954, 47, 47–51.
4.
BarchA. M.Warm-up in massed and distributed pursuit rotor performance. J. exp. Psychol., 1954, 47, 357–361.
5.
ConwellH. R., & AmmonsR. B.Joint effects of cyclical practice and rest in rotary pursuit. J. Psychol., 1951, 31, 137–146.
6.
HovlandC. I.Experimental studies in rote-learning theory: VII. Distribution of practice with varying lengths of list. J. exp. Psychol., 1940, 27, 271–284.
7.
KientzleM. J.Properties of learning curves under varied distributions of practice. J. exp. Psychol., 1946, 36, 187–210.
8.
KientzleM. J.Ability patterns under distributed practice. J. exp. Psychol., 1949, 39, 532–537.
9.
KimbleG. A.A further analysis of the variables in cyclical motor learning. J. exp. Psychol., 1949, 39, 332–337. (a)
10.
KimbleG. A.Performance and reminiscence in motor learning as a function of the degree of distribution of practice. J. exp. Psychol., 1949, 39, 500–510. (b)
11.
KimbleG. A., & BilodeauE. A.Work and rest as variables in cyclical motor learning. J. exp. Psychol., 1949, 39, 150–157.
12.
KimbleG. A., & ShatelR. B.The relationship between two kinds of inhibition and the amount of practice. J. exp. Psychol., 1952, 44, 355–359.
13.
McGeochJ. A., & IrionA. L.The psychology of human learning. New York: Longmans, Green, 1952.
14.
PayneR. B., & HautyG. T.Skill fatigue as a function of work-rest distribution. School of Aviation Medicine, USAF, Randolph AFB, Texas, Rep. No. 57-140, July, 1957.
15.
SidmanM.A note on functional relations obtained from group data. Psychol. Bull., 1952, 49, 263–269.
16.
TravisR. C.The effect of the length of the rest period in motor learning. J. Psychol., 1937, 3, 189–194.
17.
WilligL. A., & AmmonsR. B.Effects on rotary pursuit of holding work-rest ratio constant and varying its duration. Motor Skills Res. Exchange, 1951, 3, 90.
