Implicit motor sequence learning is represented in response locations

Previous work (Willingham, 1999) has indicated that implicit motor sequence learning is not primarily perceptual; that is, what is learned is not a se quence of stimuli. Still other work has indicated that implicit motor seque nce learning is not specific to particular muscle groups or effectors. In t he present work, we tested whether implicit motor sequence learning would b e represented as a sequence of response locations. In Experiment 1, learnin g showed very poor transfer when the response locations were changed, even though the stimulus positions were unchanged. In Experiment 2, participants switched their hand positions at transfer, so that one group of participan ts pushed the same sequence of keys but used a different sequence of finger movements to do so, whereas another group pushed a different sequence of k eys but used the same sequence of finger movements used at training. Knowle dge of the sequence was shown at transfer only if the sequence of response locations was maintained, not the sequence of finger movements.