Perceptual-Motor Attributes of Normal School Children: A Factor Analytic Study

Abstract

The intercorrelations among items of the Purdue Perceptual-motor Survey, previously established by Roach and Kephart using a sample of 200 school children of average intelligence, were subjected to factorial analysis, which led to definition of 9 factors, of which 7 were defined by high loadings of a single subtest: I, Walking board; II, Chalkboard; III, Ocular pursuits; V, Rhythmic writing; VI, Form perception; VII, Obstacle course; VIII, Kraus-Weber. The quasi-singlet character of these factors in relation to subtests in the present study was contrasted with the pronounced associations between subtests in an earlier factor analytic study of the Purdue Perceptual-motor Survey scores of mentally retarded persons. Four neurological dysfunction patterns of the mentally retarded were hypothesized: dysfunctions of A, postural dimensionality; B, shoulder-arm movement; C, laterality; and D, ocular control.