Psychomotor Domain Taxonomy

This domain is characterized by progressive levels of behaviors from observation to mastery of a physical skill. Several different taxonomies exist.

Simpson (1972) built this taxonomy on the work of Bloom and others:

• Perception - Sensory cues guide motor activity.
• Set - Mental, physical, and emotional dispositions that make one respond in a certain way to a situation.
• Guided Response - First attempts at a physical skill. Trial and error coupled with practice lead to better performance.
• Mechanism - The intermediate stage in learning a physical skill. Responses are habitual with a medium level of assurance and proficiency.
• Complex Overt Response - Complex movements are possible with a minimum of wasted effort and a high level of assurance they will be successful.
• Adaptation - Movements can be modified for special situations.
• Origination - New movements can be created for special situations.

Simpson, E. (1972). The classification of educational objectives in the psychomotor domain: The psychomotor domain. Vol. 3. Washington, DC: Gryphon House.

Dave (1970) developed this taxonomy:

• Imitation - Observing and copying someone else.
• Manipulation - Guided via instruction to perform a skill.
• Precision - Accuracy, proportion and exactness exist in the skill performance without the presence of the original source.
• Articulation - Two or more skills combined, sequenced, and performed consistently.
• Naturalization - Two or more skills combined, sequenced, and performed consistently and with ease. The performance is automatic with little physical or mental exertion.

Based upon R. H. Dave, as reported in R. J. Armstrong et al., Developing and Writing Behavioral Objectives (Tucson, AZ:  Educational Innovators Press, 1970).

Harrow (1972) developed this taxonomy. It is organized according to the degree of coordination including involuntary responses and learned capabilities:

• Reflex movements - Automatic reactions.
• Basic fundamental movement - Simple movements that can build to more complex sets of movements.
• Perceptual - Environmental cues that allow one to adjust movements.
• Physical activities - Things requiring endurance, strength, vigor, and agility.
• Skilled movements - Activities where a level of efficiency is achieved.
• Non-discursive communication - Body language.

Harrow, A.J. (1972). A taxonomy of the psychomotor domain. New York: David McKay Co.

The following list is a combination of the above taxonomies:

BEHAVIORAL VERBS APPROPRIATE FOR THE PSYCHOMOTOR DOMAIN