(representing all abilities and skills). The categories should be mutually exclusive; that is, there should be no overlap between them, and they should be arranged following a consistent principle of order, such as from simple to complex learning. The terms used to identify the categories should be clear, specific, and representative of the learning. Hauenstein feels that most psychomotor domain taxonomies do not meet these criteria. He synthesizes categories from several taxonomies and creates some new labels in order to present a clear and comprehensive system for working with psychomotor learning. I will use Hauenstein’s terminology, but also refer to the more familiar taxonomy prepared by Simpson(1966)
Both Hauenstein and Simpson call the first level of psychomotor learning perception. This level includes the awareness of objects in the environment arrived at through the senses and the association of those objects (of cues) with the task to be performed. Although this is not actually a physical activity in itself, it is seen to be the basis for all psychomotor learning in much the same way that receiving is the basis for affective learning.
We will learn to discriminate among the colors to be used in oil painting.
I will learn to recognize the angle at which a squash ball bounces from the wall before I swing my racquet.
Students will be able to distinguish, by touch, four different types of fabric.
If students do not possess the basic perceptual skills that precede mastery of a psychomotor skill, it is difficult to go any further. Anyone who has spent a few hours hopelessly swinging a racquet through the air while the ball sails by knows that perception is the foundation of psychomotor performance.
According to Hauenstein, the second level of psychomotor learning is simulation. This is similar to Simpson’s third level of guided response. (Hauenstein has no category equivalent to Simpson’s second level, called set, being mentally or physically prepared for the action.) At the simulation level, the student tries out or duplicates a pattern of specific actions. Actions are imitated and