KIN 3210 Topic 1:Stages of Learning and Related Concepts – Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering the stages of learning (Fitts & Posner; Newell), Bernstein’s degrees of freedom, dual-task attention concepts, and measurable changes in movement with practice.

Stages of Learning

A framework describing learning progression from beginner to advanced, including Fitts & Posner’s Cognitive–Associative–Autonomous stages and Newell’s Coordination–Control–Skill stages; changes include coordination, consistency, attention, and error correction.

Cognitive Stage (Fitts & Posner)

Initial learning phase where learners use trial-and-error to figure out an effective action; actions are uncoordinated with high variability; heavy focus on body movements.

Associative Stage (Fitts & Posner)

Intermediate learning phase where learners refine the action; movements become smoother and more consistent; attention to body movements decreases and errors are actively corrected.

Autonomous Stage (Fitts & Posner)

Final stage where actions are automatic, fluent, and performed with little conscious attention; actions are highly consistent and adaptable to different contexts.

Coordination (Newell Stage)

The goal in Newell’s model to learn correct form or technique (how to stand, hold, arm and leg actions) for proper movement.

Control (Newell Stage)

The goal to learn to control, vary, or scale the action; calibrate the action and begin varying actions to produce different outcomes.

Skill (Newell Stage)

The goal to apply the action in real-life contexts; use the skill in response to situational needs.

Degrees of Freedom

The large number of possible movement choices the body can make to perform a task; learners often start by reducing (freezing) these degrees of freedom.

Freezing Degrees of Freedom

Reducing the number of independent joint motions to simplify control during early learning.

Unfreezing Degrees of Freedom

Gradually releasing constraints to allow more independent and flexible movements as skill improves.

Bernstein

Russian scientist who described degrees of freedom and the idea of freezing/freeing DOF in motor control.

Degrees of Freedom (Bernstein’s concept)

The variety of independent movements available to perform a task; initial freezing simplifies the problem.

Dual-task paradigm

A method to study attention by comparing performance on a primary task under single-task and dual-task conditions; practice reduces attentional demands.

Single-task vs Dual-task

Conditions used to assess how much attention a task requires by comparing performance with or without an additional task.

Attention required

The amount of cognitive focus needed to perform a task; generally decreases with practice as actions become automatic.

Movement efficiency

Performing a task with less energy and smoother, more economical movements; improves with practice.

Muscle activation patterns

How muscles are recruited during a task; with practice, patterns become more efficient and use fewer unnecessary muscles.

Consistency

Reliability and repeatability of performance; tends to increase as learners progress toward autonomous stages.

Trial and error

Learning by attempting actions and learning from the results; predominant in the Cognitive Stage.

Coordination of movement

The integration and timing of body segments to produce smooth, coordinated action; improves with practice.

Focus of attention on body movement

Early stages emphasize attention to body positions and movements; later stages shift toward task outcomes and automaticity.

Automaticity

Performance with minimal conscious effort due to extensive practice; actions become automatic.

Variability vs. Consistency

High variability in early stages; variability decreases and consistency increases as skill develops.

Real-life context application

Using learned actions in real-world situations, requiring adaptation to varying demands.

Calibrate the action

Adjusting movement parameters to achieve desired outcomes, a key goal in the Control stage.

Vary the action

Ability to adjust actions to produce different outcomes, a key capability in the Control stage.