Skill acquisition

What does it mean when a skill is classified as open?

Performed in an unpredictable environment

What does it mean when a skill is classified as closed?

Performed in a predictable environment

What does it mean when a skill is classified as simple?

A skill that requires few decisions when performed

What does it mean when a skill is classified as complex?

A skill that requires decision making using lots of information when performed

What does it mean when a skill is classified as high organised?

A skill that is not easily broken into parts

What does it mean when a skill is classified as low organised?

A skill that is easily broken into parts

What does it mean when a skill is classified as discrete?

A skill that has a clear beginning and end

What is meant by a subroutine?

The actions that form the parts of a skill

What does it mean when a skill is classified as serial?

A skill that contains several discrete skills in order to make a more integrated movement

What does it mean when a skill is classified as self-paced?

When the performer controls the start and speed of the skill

What does it mean when a skill is classified as externally paced?

When the performer has no control over the start and speed of the skill

What does it mean when a skill is classified as gross?

A skill that uses large muscle groups

What does it mean when a skill is classified as fine?

A skill that uses smaller muscle groups

What are the characteristics of a skill?

Aesthetically pleasing

Consistent

Effective

Fluent

Accurate

Controlled

Economical

What is meant by ‘transfer of learning’?

The effect of the learning and performance of one skill on the learning and performance of another skill

What is meant by ‘positive transfer of learning’?

When the learning and performance of one skill helps the learning and performance of another skill

What is meant by ‘negative transfer of learning’?

When the learning and performance of one skill hinders the learning and performance of another skill

What is meant by the term ‘zero practice’?

When the learning and performance of one skill has no impact on the learning and performance of another

What is meant by the term ‘bilateral transfer’?

When the learning and performance of one skill is passed across the body from limb to limb

What is whole practice?

Practicing the skill in its entirety

What is whole-part-whole practice?

Assessing the skill, identifying a weakness to practice, then putting the skill back together

What is progressive part practice?

Practicing the first part of the skill then adding parts gradually

What is massed practice?

No rest intervals during the practice session

What is distributed practice?

Rest intervals are given during the practice session

What is variable practice?

Changing the practice type and the practice drills

What is mental practice?

Going over the skill in the mind without movement

What is meant by ‘learning’?

A permanent change in behaviour as a result of practice

What is meant by ‘performance’?

A temporary occurrence that can change from time to time because of internal and external influences

What is the cognitive stage of learning?

-The first stage of learning used by a novice

-Understanding and sub-routines are explored by trial and error

What is the associative stage of learning?

The second stage of learning as motor programmes are developed and performance is smoother

What is the autonomous stage of learning?

The final stage of learning used by an expert when movement is detailed and specific

What is meant by ‘feedback’?

Information to aid error correction

What is meant by ‘positive feedback’?

Encouragement

What is meant by ‘negative feedback’?

Error correction

What is meant by ‘intrinsic feedback’?

From within

What is meant by ‘extrinsic feedback’?

From an outside source

What is meant by ‘knowledge of results’?

Concerns the outcome

What is meant by ‘knowledge of performance’?

About technique

What is a learning plateau?

A period of no improvement in performance

What is drive reduction?

An end-of-task period when performance may get worse

What are the causes of plateau?

Motivation

Boredom

Coaching

Limit of ability

Targets too low

Fatigue

What is visual guidance?

Guidance that can been seen, a demonstration

What is verbal guidance?

Using words to explain a task

What is manual guidance?

Physically supporting a performer during a movement

What is mechanical guidance?

Using artificial aids to help a performance

What is operant conditioning?

The use of reinforcement to ensure that correct responses are repeated

What is behaviourist theory?

This attempts to explain how actions can be linked to stimuli

What is meant by a ‘satisfier’?

An action that promotes a pleasant feeling so that correct responses are repeated

What is meant by an ‘annoyer’?

An action that creates unease to promote the avoidance of incorrect responses

What is positive reinforcement?

A pleasant stimulus after the correct response

What is negative reinforcement?

Taking away an unpleasant stimulus after the correct response

What is punishment?

An unpleasant stimulus to prevent incorrect actions recurring

What is attention?

Making the demonstration attractive to the performer

What is retention?

Remembering the demonstration and being able to recall it

What is motor production?

Having the mental and physical ability to do the task

What is motivation?

Having the drive to do the task

What is social development?

Learning by association with others

What is inter-psychological learning?

Learning from others externally

What is intra-psychological learning?

Learning from within after gaining external knowledge from others

What is constructivism?

Building up learning in stages, based on the current level of performance

What is meant by ‘zone of proximal development?

The next stage of learning based on the performer’s needs, expectations and current level of performance

What is insight learning?

Using experience and understanding to solve problems relating to the whole skill