The thesis examines certain sources of influence on motor schema development. An extensive review of the background theorising and empirical grounds for current concepts of schema memory identifies a number of factors purported to be involved in schema development. These factors are conveniently divided into two groups: (i) practice-related factors more readily open to short-term manipula-tions (including the amount of variability and the size of a block; the context of the practice organisation; the distinction between recall and recognition schemas; and performance versus learning considerations) and (ii) inter-related factors which are less prone to short-term manipula-tions in that they relate to problems of subject or task constraint (including task complexity; the level of learning of the performer; age and differing strategies; and experience). Three empirical studies are reported including both a field study (a modified golf-putting task), and two laboratory studies (using an adapted version of Lee and Magill's (1985) knock-down barrier task). The results provide so me support for the primary hypothesis of a Complexity by Variability interac tion. There is strong evidence that the complexity manipulations generated main effects w hich mirrored the suc-cessful manipulations of variability of practice. The data represents an important step towards the inclusion of a whole set of factors within the overall construct of transfer arising from variability. Three potential areas of investigation are highlighted. These are: i) the proximal/distal arguments for transfer; ii) the examination of other factors as independent but possibly confounding so urces of effects and iii) the possible extension of Schema Theory from the orientation and develop-ment of the motor schema to include the issue of learning and how to learn.