Degrees of specificity in task analysis.

The effects of training identical tasks using three different degrees of task-analysis specificity (long, 28 steps; medium, 14 steps; and short, 7 steps) were assessed. Mildly, moderately, and severely mentally retarded vocational rehabilitation clients were taught to assemble three apparatuses (lawn mower engine, electric drill, carburetor) in a counterbalanced design. The short task analysis resulted in most errors in training, but training time did not differ. A Level of Retardation X Treatment interaction indicated that although all subjects made more errors during training with the short task analysis, severely retarded subjects made the most errors in that condition.