Sequence learning by action, observation and action observation

Journal article

The serial reaction time (SRT) task was used to compare learning of a complex sequence by action (participants responded to sequential stimuli), by observation (participants watched but did not respond to sequential stimuli), and by action-observation (participants watched an expert model responding to sequential stimuli). Each of these groups was compared with an untrained control group. Experiment 1 indicated that both observation and action-observation were sufficient to support learning of a 12-item second-order conditional (SOC) sequence. Experiment 2 confirmed these findings, and showed that, as indexed by reaction time (RT), the extent of learning by observation and by action-observation was comparable to that of action-based learning. Using a recognition test, Experiment 2 and 3 also provided evidence that, whereas learning by stimulus observation was explicit, learning by actionobservation was implicit. These findings are consistent with a connection between motor systems and implicit learning, but do not support the hypothesis that overt action is necessary for implicit learning. © 2005 The British Psychological Society.

Authors: Bird, G; Osman, M; Saggerson, A; Heyes, C

• Journal: British Journal of Psychology
• Volume: 96
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 371-388
• Publication date: 2005-08-01
• DOI: 10.1348/000712605X47440
• ISSN: 2044-8295
• Language: English