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The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of priming on performance of a closed motor task (dart throwing). The priming task involved either reading or listening to one of three different sets of instructions explaining the mechanics of dart throwing: positive (emphasizing what to do or focus on), negative (emphasizing what not to do or focus on), and neutral. One hundred-twenty four participants were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups (n = 21 for each) and 2 control groups (n = 20 for each) based on media (verbal or written) and direction (positive, negative, control) of script. Each participant completed a total of 6 blocks (3 dart-throws per block). In subsequent order, participants completed Blocks 1 and 2 (practice trials), the priming task, and then Blocks 3 through 6 (experimental trials).A 2 x 3 x 6 (Media x Direction x Block) ANOVA with repeated measures on the last factor found only a significant main effect for Block. However, tests of within-subject contrasts indicated a Block x Direction interaction from Block 1 to Block 2 and from Block 2 to Block 3, with the most dramatic change in performance seen in the group receiving the negative instructions. The results indicated that negative instruction can have an immediate negative impact on performance that is not seen with positive instruction. This negative impact can be overcome, however, if the performer is left alone to practice after receiving the negative instruction. This study has provided additional evidence that priming can influence motor responses. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-57).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-57). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

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