| Automatization of complex skills with practice is a ubiquitous phenomenon, but neither the definition of nor the mechanisms for automatization are clear. The purpose of this research was to develop a quantitative method for the study of automatization. It was hoped that such a method would not only shed light on mechanisms, but also allow comparative study of normal and brain-injured individuals, for whom automatic performance is often disrupted.; The paradigm involved a motor tracking response performed alone or in combination with a digit list rehearsal or tone detection task. Performance on the tracking task with and without secondary tasks was compared throughout the course of practice. A decrease in the ratio of average distance for the target with and without interference during practice, was used as the criterion for automatization.; In experiment I a point target was used. Despite extensive practice with a simple pattern, automatization never occurred by the above criterion. The possibility that the small target was the cause was considered. If automatization is related to goal achievement rather than absolute quantity of practice, then an achievable goal should promote automatization. In experiments II and III this hypothesis was supported. Subjects showed evidence of automatization which was related to the size of the target. Hand and task differences were also studied.; It was concluded that automatization is dependent on both quality of performance and performance goal. The relation of this hypothesis to capacity theories and specific interference theories is discussed. Theoretical and practical discussions of the method as it applies to normals and brain-injured patients are also included. |
