This document describes an experiment to study bilateral transfer by measuring improvements in non-preferred hand performance after training the preferred hand on a mirror drawing task. In the experiment, subjects traced a star pattern with their preferred and non-preferred hands before and after training. The time taken and errors committed for each hand were recorded and compared. The results showed that after training the preferred hand, performance improved for the non-preferred hand as evidenced by reduced time and errors. This demonstrates the possibility of bilateral transfer between hands through practice of one hand.

1. BILATERAL TRANSFER
Introduction
The skill acquired by learning one kind of a complex movement may be
transferred to a similar situation. A person who has learned to drive a car drives a similar
car without practice. This kind of transfer is called positive transfer. On the other hand
the earlier learning may interfere with the later learning. This is called negative transfer.
The effects of positive transfer are determined by showing improvement in performance
with left hand when the right hand is given practice. This is called bilateral transfer.
Aim
To study the possibility of bilateral transfer
Materials
1. Mirror drawing apparatus (with stylus, counter & battery)
2. Stop clock
3. Writing materials
Procedure
The experiment is conducted in two series – the condition before training is
compared with the condition after training. The mirror drawing apparatus is arranged
after connecting it with the stylus, counter and battery or electricity.
I Series: Before training (non preferred hand): The subject is instructed to trace the
star pattern in his non-preferred hand looking at the reflection in the mirror. He should
trace the pattern with the help of the stylus as fast as possible without touching the edges
until he comes back to the starting point. The errors will be committed whenever the
subject touches the edges. The subject should trace the pattern in clockwise direction.
One trail is given. The time taken by the subject to trace the pattern and the errors
committed are noted down.

2. Preferred hand: The subject is asked to trace the star pattern in his preferred hand. 5 trials
are given. The time taken and the errors committed by the subject are noted down.
II Series: After training (non preferred hand): The subject is asked to trace the star
pattern in his non-preferred hand. One trial is given. The time taken and the errors
committed by the subject are noted down.
Analysis of Results
The time taken by the subject and errors committed before training are compared
with those of after training.
Table showing the time taken and errors committed by the subject and the group in
each trial by the preferred hand.
Trial
S.
No.
Subjects Time taken Errors committed
Trial
1
Trial
2
Trial
3
Tria
l 4
Trial
5
Trial
1
Trial
2
Trial
3
Trial
4
Trial
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total

3. Table showing the time taken and errors committed by the subject and the group in
the non-preferred hand before training and after training
S. No Subject
Time taken Error Committed
After
training
Before
Training
After training
Before
Training
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total
Conclusion
It is noted that the time taken and errors committed becomes less with each trial.