The effect of constant practice in transfer tests

Abstract

Background: There is a consensus that repetition observed in constant practice produces minimal benefits to the transfer of learning. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate in 3 experiments the effects of constant practice in transfer contexts. Methodology: Participants were asked during acquisition phase, in all experiments, to press four keys sequentially with different requirements of absolute timing in a same relative timing structure. In the transfer tests, they were tested in a novel absolute timing criterion. Results: The results of experiment 1 and 2 showed that the relative timing structure was maintained only when the transfer required parameter scaling close to the parameter value practiced in acquisition. The transfer parameter that is far to the parameter practiced did not affect the movement parameterization. The result of experiment 3 showed that relative timing structure is disrupted in the transfer test when constant practice has high and low amount of practice. Conclusion: Some specific aspects interfere in the transfer test when constant practice is experienced.