An Experimental Test of Current Theories of Psychomotor Reminiscence

Abstract

Inhibition, arousal, and consolidation theories of psychomotor reminiscence were examined in a dual-task paradigm in which two segments of continuous practice on a principal task were separated by varying amounts of practice and rest on an alternate task. The allocations of work and rest to the interval between the two segments were such as to allow the theories to make different sets of predictions about the effects of the allocations upon main-task reminiscence. The experimental sample of 140 Caucasian, right-handed subjects had a modal age of 18 yr. Results provided decisive support for Hull's inhibition theory of reminiscence while negating the credibility of competing theories at all crucial points of comparison.