Abrupt vs. gradual destabilization at copying affects the subsequent evolution of graphic patterns accuracy at reproduction

Participants should trace graphic patterns with respect to a visual model (copying) and, after an interval of varying length (0, 10 and 20 s), reproduce the patterns from memory (reproduction). The 0°, 45°, 90°, 135° and 180° relative phase patterns were analyzed. At copying, the patterns were destabilized by manipulating movement frequency. The results revealed that absolute error and variability were higher when participants traced the patterns at a rapid rather than at a spontaneous movement frequency. Later, the effect of destabilization decayed resulting in accuracy improvement. After an abrupt change from rapid to spontaneous movement frequency at copying, the improvement in accuracy was manifested with the 0 s interval. After a gradual decrease in frequency, the improvement in accuracy appeared for the 10 and 20 s interval. The results indicate that the evolution of accuracy at reproduction was sensitive to how the destabilization was administered at copying.