Developmental modeling effects on the acquisition, retention, and transfer of a novel motor task

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of modeling strategies on the acquisition, retention, and transfer of a novel motor task. Forty males and 40 females, divided equally between two age groups (9.0 to 10.6 and 18.0 to 45.0 years), were randomly assigned within each age group to visual model (control), visual model plus cues, visual model plus verbal rehearsal, or visual model, verbal rehearsal plus cues conditions. The task consisted of juggling three nylon scarves during acquisition and retention and three bean bags during transfer. A 4 x 2 (Model Type x Age) MANOVA revealed a significant age by model type interaction. For acquisition, children in the visual model plus verbal rehearsal condition and visual model, verbal rehearsal plus cues condition performed significantly better than children in the visual model only or visual model plus cues groups. Adults performed equally well during acquisition under any of the model type conditions. The retention data indicated that the adults' performance in the visual model plus cues condition was superior to all other model types; for children there were no differences between the four model type conditions. Results for transfer performance revealed only a main effect for age, with adults performing better at transfer than children. These results support previous research that suggests that effective modeling conditions are related to the cognitive-developmental level of the learner.