Components of the Coincidence-Anticipation Behavior of Children Aged from 6 to 11 Years

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse children's performance in a coincidence/anticipation task. Three tests were administered to each child: (1) an accuracy test: a throw on a target; (2) a coincidence/anticipation test with a simple motor response: the child had to intercept an apparent movement of two different speeds by pressing a button; (3) a coincidence/anticipation test with a complex motor response implying accuracy: the child had to intercept an apparent movement with an accurate throw on target. Time errors (absolute and variable) and spatial errors were recorded. Performance, as measured by absolute and variable time errors, and spatial errors improved with age. Boys executed the coincidence/anticipation task with more temporal and spatial accuracy than girls. All subjects were more temporally precise at fast speed than at slow speed, and practice had no significant over-all effect. Complexity significantly affected absolute time error and spatial error, all children being more accurate on the task requiring a simple response.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Alderson

G. J. K.

Variables affectant la perception de la vitesse dans le sport. In Whiting

H. T. A.

(Ed.), Psychologie sportive. Paris: Vigot, 1976. Pp. 164–217.

Belisle

J. J.

Accuracy, reliability and refractoriness in a coincidence/anticipation task. Research Quarterly, 1963, 34, 271–281.

Boyer

M. H.

The teaching of elementary school physical education. New York: Lowell Pratt, 1965.

Bruce

The effects of variations in ball trajectory upon the catching performance of elementary school children. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Wisconsin, 1966.

Cratty

B. J.

Perceptual and motor development in infants and children. (2nd ed.) Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1979.

Dorfman

P. W.

Timing and anticipation: A developmental perspective. Journal of Motor Behavior, 1977, 9, 67–79.

Dunham

Age, sex, speed, and practice in coincidence-anticipation performance of children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1977, 45, 187–193.

Espenschade

A. S.

, & Eckert

Motor development. Columbus: Merrill, 1967.

Fleury

Bard

, & Carrière

Effets d'une charge de travail métabolique et/ou perceptuelle sur une tâche de coordination spatio/temporelle. Psychology of motor behavior. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 1980. Pp. 502–511.

10.

Gesell

A. L.

, & Amatruda

C. S.

Developmental diagnosis. New York: Hoeber, 1946.

11.

Kay

Information theory in the understanding of skills. Occupational Psychology, 1957, 31, 218–223.

12.

Kay

The development of motor skills from birth to adolescence. In Bilodeau

E. A.

(Ed.), Principles of skill acquisition. New York: Academic Press, 1969. Pp. 33–59.

13.

Keogh

Development in fundamental motor tasks. In Corbin

C. B.

(Ed.), A textbook of motor development. Dubuque, Iowa: Brown, 1973. Pp. 57–74.

14.

Stadulis

R. E.

Coincidence-anticipation behavior of children. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Teachers College, Columbia Univer., 1971.

15.

Williams

H. G.

The effects of systematic variation of speed and direction of object flight and of skill and age classification upon visuo-perceptual judgments of moving objects in three-dimensional space. Office of Educ, Report No. 6-8102, Univer. of Toledo, Ohio, 1968.

16.

Williams

H. G.

Perceptual-motor development in children. In Corbin

C. B.

(Ed.), A textbook of motor development. Dubuque, IA: Brown, 1973. Pp. 111–139.