Distant Transfer in Coincident Timing as a Function of Variability of Practice

Abstract

An assumption of Schmidt's schema theory is that variable practice will enhance the development of schema which will in turn facilitate transfer to situations requiring novel responses. This assumption has been supported in research with both open and closed tasks as defined by Poulton. In an open task-study the novel response was within the range of responses previously experienced by subjects. The present study using an open task concerned whether acquisition of novel responses outside the range of the subjects' past experience would be facilitated by variability of practice. The results confirmed schema theory. Subjects with variable practice showed greater transfer to a novel speed outside the range of training than subjects trained under constant practice. A generalization gradient was obtained. Further the novel conditions were from training conditions, the poorer the transfer appeared to be. However, generalization decrement was attenuated with variable practice.