Rate of Learning on a Pursuit Rotor Task at a Constant Work-Rest Ratio with Varying Work and Rest Periods

Abstract

Five groups of Ss ( Ns of 6 to 8) were rested on a pursuit rotor, using a constant rest-work ratio of 1:2. The work lengths varied from 40 sec. to 5 min.; the rest durations from 20 sec. to 2½ min. The asymptotic mean rates of performance for the groups showed no significant differences. The implications of this finding for the concept of “massed” and “distributed” learning were discussed.