Title |
Children and Adults Both Learn Motor Sequences Quickly, But Do So Differently
|
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Published in |
Frontiers in Psychology, February 2017
|
DOI | 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00158 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Yue Du, Nadia C. Valentini, Min J. Kim, Jill Whitall, Jane E. Clark |
Abstract |
Both children and adults can learn motor sequences quickly in one learning session, yet little is known about potential age-related processes that underlie this fast sequence acquisition. Here, we examined the progressive performance changes in a one-session modified serial reaction time task in 6- and 10-year-old children and adults. We found that rapid sequence learning, as reflected by reaction time (RT), was comparable between groups. The learning was expressed through two behavioral processes: online progressive changes in RT while the task was performed in a continuous manner and offline changes in RT that emerged following a short rest. These offline and online RT changes were age-related; learning in 6-year-olds was primarily reflected through the offline process. In contrast, learning in adults was reflected through the online process; and both online and offline processes occurred concurrently in 10-year-olds. Our results suggest that early rapid sequence learning has a developmental profile. Although the unifying mechanism underlying these two age-related processes is unclear, we discuss possible explanations that need to be systematically elucidated in future studies. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Unknown | 80 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 12 | 15% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 11 | 14% |
Student > Bachelor | 11 | 14% |
Researcher | 7 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 4 | 5% |
Other | 14 | 18% |
Unknown | 21 | 26% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Sports and Recreations | 13 | 16% |
Neuroscience | 12 | 15% |
Psychology | 10 | 13% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 7 | 9% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 4 | 5% |
Other | 8 | 10% |
Unknown | 26 | 33% |