The Effect of Handedness and Practice Type (Explicit vs. Implicit) on Sequential Reaction Accuracy and Time

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of handedness and two practice types (explicit vs. implicit) on motor sequence learning. 60 girls (age range of 14 – 17 years old) were randomly assigned to four groups according to their handedness: right–handed-explicit, right–handed–implicit, left–handed-explicit, and left–handed-implicit. Participants’ task was accuracy and time of sequential reaction. Acquisition phase consisted of 800 practice trials. Participants in explicit practice groups were aware of the arrangement included in stimuli while implicit practice groups were not informed about this arrangement. The day after the acquisition phase, retention and transfer tests were taken. Multiple ANOVA showed that regardless of handedness, implicit practice had more effects on learning reaction time in all three phases of acquisition, retention, and transfer than explicit practice. Regardless of practice type, comparison of right–handed and left–handed subjects was significant in response accuracy in acquisition phase as left–handed subjects were more accurate. The counter effect of handedness and practice type on reaction time and response accuracy was not significant, that is to say right–handed and left–handed subjects had no significant differences in explicit and implicit practice.