Three Stages of Motor Learning

What characterizes the COGNITIVE stage of motor learning?

• Initial stage

• High conscious processing

• High concentration

• Many errors

• Inconsistent attempts/performance

• Requires significant:

  • Listening

  • Observation

  • Feedback

• Controlled environment is ideal

What characterizes the ASSOCIATIVE stage of motor learning?

• Intermediate stage

• Fewer errors

• Less concentration required

• Skill becomes more refined

• Increased movement coordination

• Large amounts of practice

• Increasing reliance on internal/proprioceptive feedback

• Reduce excessive external feedback

What characterizes the AUTONOMOUS stage of motor learning?

• Final stage

• Movement becomes automatic

• Mostly error-free

• Minimal cognitive demand

• Environmental distractions have little effect

• Can perform another task simultaneously

• Extrinsic feedback should be minimal

• Internal/self-assessment feedback dominates

What is the easiest way to distinguish the 3 stages of motor learning?

• Cognitive: “What am I supposed to do?”

  • Lots of errors + feedback

• Associative: “I'm getting it.”

  • Fewer errors + refinement

• Autonomous: “I don't have to think about it.”

  • Automatic + minimal feedback