Effort chemistry begins with combinations of the motion factors of Space, Weight, and Time. These combinations yield the eight “basic actions” – floating, gliding, dabbing, flicking, punching, slashing, wringing, and pressing.
Laban first identified these basic actions in his observations of manual labor. In this sense, the basic actions are concretely physical in nature. Then, working with management consultant F.C. Lawrence, Laban extended his observations to other types of labor – to clerical and managerial functions. Together they made a remarkable discovery.
While the visibility of movement is diminished in white collar labor, Laban and Lawrence found that the four motion factors could also be used to study mental labor. They even asserted that “thoughts have Speed, Strength, Direction, and Flow.”
This was a theoretical break-though – no longer were physical and intellectual labors discrete. Effort was seen to underlie all human endeavor.