EFFECTS OF GOAL SETTING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF MOTOR SKILLS

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of short and long-term goal setting in the learning of saloon dart throwing. The experiment was conducted in three stages: pretest (10 trials), acquisition (60 trials), with manipulation of the temporality of the goal, and post-test (10 trials). The 33 right-handed university students were divided into three groups: specific short-term goal (GEC), specific long-term goal (GEL) and no-goal (GNM). In the analysis of accuracy and consistency the two way ANOVA identified significant effect between pretest and post-test and between acquisition blocks as well. Although all the groups have learned the task, there was no difference between them. It is suggested further researches on the subject.