Effects of tasks interpolated during rest on reminiscence for pursuit-rotor performance and inverted-alphabet printing: a test of a consolidation theory of reminiscence.

As a test of a consolidation theory of reminiscence, 150 female college students practiced inverted-alphabet printing and the pursuit rotor for 5 min., rested for 20 min., and then practiced for 2 more min. During the rest period, some subjects rested while others performed reverse-cue rotary pursuit or mirror tracing. No reduction in reminiscence produced by tasks occurring during the rest period was found. While the failure to support a consolidation theory of reminiscence could not be explained, the possibility of sex differences in response to tasks occurring during the rest period was discussed.