Recall and Recognition in Motor Learning¹

Abstract

An attempt was made to manipulate motor recognition but not recall as a test of Adams’ (1971) two-process closed-loop theory of motor learning: Ss (N = 60) wre given 70 KR acquisition trials of a rapid linear timing task prior to performing 40 KR withdrawal trials under a 2(vision) × 2(audition) design where the feedback variables each had two levels of feedback present or absent. Feedback withdrawal produced a decrement in response recognition but not recall during the initial phase of KR withdrawal. Thereafter the recognition and recall processes tended to operate in unison. The discussion focused on the relationship between these processes which, as the present data suggest, may reflect fundamentally different underlying mechanisms.