Effects of Manifest Anxiety and Auditory Distraction on a Motor Steadiness Battery
The Kløve Motor Steadiness Battery (Kløve, 1963) was administered to a group of 60 right-handed male undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory psychology course. Ss were chosen on the basis of MAS scores so that there were 20 Ss from high, medium, and low anxiety groups. Each of these groups was subdivided into auditory or no-auditory distraction subgroups. Ss were tested with dominant and non-dominant hands. Ss in the medium-MA group performed better than those in the high- and low-MA groups. Auditory distraction facilitated performance for the high- and medium-MA groups but disrupted performance for the low-MA group. Performance was generally better for the dominant hand and there were several hand × distraction and hand × anxiety level interactions. Factors relevant to task complexity and to clinical disorders in utilizing this battery were discussed.