Effect of Perceptual Style Strength on Acquisition of a Novel Motor Task

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the strength of perceptual style preference on the acquisition of a novel motor task. The Physical Needs element of the Learning Style Inventory was administered to 98 students, 14 to 15 yr. old, to determine the strength of their perceptual preferences for processing auditory, visual, and kinesthetic/tactile information. Subjects practiced the tennis-ball basket-bounce test as a novel task 8 times (3 practice and 5 test trials) per day for 9 days. Subjects were grouped according to the strength of their perceptual preferences: Group 1 ( n = 15) in the top quartile on all perceptual modes; Group 2 ( n = 16) at the median on all modes; and Group 3 ( n = 14) in the bottom quartile on all modes. Scores on the ball-bounce task were compared across groups using a 3 (groups) × 9 (days) analysis of variance. There were over-all significant differences between perceptual-preference groups and across days, but no significant interaction was detected. The composite strength of perceptual-style preference as measured is potentially important in acquisition of this motor skill.