2025/11/25 by Guilherme Menezes Lage, Lidiane Aparecida Fernandes, Nathálya Gardênia de Holanda Marinho Nogueira +2
Psychology · #Cultural Differences and Values #Identity, Memory, and Therapy #Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
paper · doi:10.1080/00336297.2025.2590010
crossref issued 2025/11/25 · crossref published 2025/11/25 · crossref published-online 2025/11/25 · openalex created_date 2025/11/25 · openalex publication_date 2025/11/25 · crossref created 2025/11/25 · crossref published-print 2026/07/03 · crossref deposited 2026/07/27 · crossref indexed 2026/07/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This article revisits the 50-year legacy of Schema Theory, proposed by Richard Schmidt in 1975, which marked a shift in understanding motor skill learning and control. As an alternative to models focused on specific motor programs and sensory feedback, the theory introduced the Generalized Motor Program and schema formation through varied practice. Over the decades, it has influenced research and practices in education, sports, and rehabilitation. The article reviews key empirical findings, especially on practice structure and extrinsic feedback, and addresses criticisms of its representationalist stance. It also discusses how competing approaches like ecological dynamics have led to a productive coexistence. Despite critiques, Schema Theory remains relevant and offers a solid foundation for integration with current perspectives in neuroscience and motor learning.