Page 1 - LN 4_Learning

Class - XI

Psychology

Chapter 6: Learning

MODULE - 4

(Topics: Skill Learning, Transfer of Learning)

Short Note

SKILL LEARNING

A skill is defined as the ability to perform some complex task smoothly and efficiently.

Skills are learned by practice and exercise.

A skill consists of a chain of perceptual motor responses or as a sequence of S-R associations.
Phases of Skill Acquisition

▪ Skill learning passes through several qualitatively different phases.

▪ It becomes more spontaneous or automatic.

▪ It has also been shown that in each phase the performance improves.
▪ In transition from one phase to the next, when the level of performance stands still,

it is called performance plateau.

▪ Once the next phase begins, performance starts improving and its level starts going

up.

▪ Fitts presented the phases of skill acquisition.
According to him, skill learning passes through three phases, viz. cognitive,

associative and autonomous.

The first phase

▪ Each phase or stage of skill learning involves different types of mental

processes.
▪ In the cognitive phase of skill learning, the learner has to understand and

memorise the instructions, and also understand how the task has to be

performed.