The Death of Handwriting: Secondary Effects of Frequent Computer Use on Basic Motor Skills

ABSTRACT

The benefits of modern technologies such as personal computers, in-vehicle navigation systems, and electronic organizers are evident in everyday life. However, only recently has it been proposed that the increasing use of personal computers in producing written texts may significantly contribute to the loss of handwriting skills. Such a fundamental change of human habits is likely to have generalized consequences for other basic fine motor skills as well. In this article, the authors provide evidence that the skill to produce precisely controlled arm–hand movements is related to the usage of computer keyboards in producing written text in everyday life. This result supports the notion that specific cultural skills such as handwriting and typing shape more general perceptual and motor skills. More generally, changing technologies are associated with generalized changes of the profile of basic human skills.

Keywords:

• computer use
• fine motor skills
• handwriting

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Petra Wallmeyer and Daniel Caputo for running the experiment.