Effector-independent and effector-dependent sequence representations underlie general and specific perceptuomotor sequence learning

Abstract

Perceptuomotor sequence learning could be due to learning of effector-independent sequence information (e.g., response locations), effector-dependent information (e.g., motor movements of a particular effector), or both. Evidence also suggests that learning of statistical regularities in sequences (general-regularity learning) and specific sequences (specific-sequence learning) are dissociable. The authors examined the degree to which general and specific-sequence learning rely on effector-independent and effector-dependent representations. During training, participants typed sequences that followed a construction rule with a subset of sequences repeatedly processed. At test, effector-independent and effector-dependent learning was examined with respect to general-regularity and specific-sequence learning. Results suggest that general-regularity learning is subserved by effector-independent sequence representations, whereas specific-sequence learning is subserved by effector-dependent sequence representations, further dissociating these types of learning.