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An information-processing perspective for motor-task analysis was formulated, considering informational analysis, response demands, and feedback characteristics. Three strategies relevant to learning two versions of the same task, maze traversal, were identified. 8 men and 8 women were placed in strategies or no-strategies groups and attempted to traverse a maze as quickly as possible. The strategies group completed the related mazes faster than the control group.

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To determine whether memory search for movements was serial or parallel, the search processes involved in a short-term motor-memory paradigm were investigated. A linear-positioning task was used to present a series of 1, 2, or 3 movements in a memory set. Upon completion of a memory set, subjects were presented with a search movement. The search movement was either the same length as one of the memory-set movements ("yes" response) or a different length ("no" response). Four subjects completed three consecutive days of testing. On Day 1 RT and movement length were practiced. On Day 2 the subjects were required to search a memory set of movements and respond in the yes condition by lifting the index finger of the left hand. This movement terminated a RT search clock. The same procedures were followed on Day 3, except that a no response was indicated by lifting the index finger. A 2 X 3 X 3 (response X memory set X RT trials) within-subjects analysis yielded nonsignificant main effects and interactions. The results were discussed in relation to verbal memory.

The purpose of this experiment was to study the early processing stages of encoding and recognition of slow movement in a short-term motor-memory paradigm. These stages were examined by determining whether Laabs' (1973) differential decay rates for location of movement and distance of movement could be replicated when the interfering activity was performed during the criterion and replication movements. 20 subjects performed a linear-positioning task in a 2 X 2 X 2 (count X movement type X retention interval) experimental design. 10 subjects in one condition counted backwards by 3s during the criterion and replication movements. There were no detrimental effects for location and distance-cue reproduction when attention was shared with counting backwards. Like Laabs' results, location of movement was maintained over the 15-sec. interval while distance of movement spontaneously changed. These results supported the notion that the early stages of encoding and recognition of cues for movement can occur unaffected by a secondary task.