ML 2 (transfer, variability and specificity)

Question 1

What are the 6 key features of learning?

Answer 1

1. improvement over time
2. consistency
3. stability in light of int or ext perturbations
4. persistence of improved performance
5. adaptability to similar conditions
6. reduced attentional demand

Question 2

Define transfer of learning

Answer 2

the extent to which previous experience influences the performance of a new skill or a skill in a new context

Question 3

How do you assess transfer?

(equation for transfer)?

Answer 3

exp group: practice skill A then test skill B
control group: no practise then test skill B

%transfer = (Bscore ex - Bscore co / Bscore ex + Bscore co) x 100

Question 4

Define positive transfer

Answer 4

when prior learning has a positive influence on new skill learning or on performance in a new context

Question 5

Why does positive transfer occur?

Answer 5

similarity of the components and/or context characteristics of the skills to be performed

the more kinematically similar the components between skills, the more transfer

Question 6

Describe a piece of research that supports the reasoning behind positive transfer

Answer 6

O’Keeffe et al (2007)

> pre tested in ball throw (BT), badminton clear (BC) and javelin (J).
3 weeks intervention of BT, BC or control.
post test then 2 weeks no practice
retention test

results:
- BC only improved BC
- BT improved everything

takeaways:
skills w/ greater kinematic similarity and context characteristics have higher transfer

Question 7

What is negative transfer?

Answer 7

when prior learning hinders the performance of a different skill or a skill in a different context

Question 8

Why does negative transfer occur?

Answer 8

context characteristics are similar but the movement characteristics are different

there are conflicts/changes in

• spatial location
• timing

Question 9

What are some reasons for negative transfer?

Answer 9

> perception-action coupling (e.g. breaking in an automatic car)
cognitive confusion (e.g. typing on a different keyboard
intrinsic dynamics of coordinative patterns

Question 10

Define bilateral transfer

Answer 10

transfer of learning from one limb to the contralateral one

Question 11

What is the protocol for testing bilateral transfer?

Answer 11

preferred limb : pre-test, practice, post-test
contralateral limb : pre-test, no practice, post-test

if contralateral limb improves, transfer has taken place.

Question 12

Does the side you start with affect bilateral transfer in different scenarios?

Answer 12

yes.
when accuracy is the aim, start with non-dominant
when force is the aim, start with the dominant
- (Stockel & Weigelt, 2012)

Question 13

What are the two explanations for bilateral transfer?

Answer 13

> cognitive

> motor control

Question 14

Outline the cognitive explanation for bilateral transfer

Answer 14

performer already knows “what to do: and starts from a higher skill level

Question 15

Outline the motor control explanation for bilateral transfer

Answer 15

generalised motor programmes are already formed, which aren’t muscle specific

Question 16

What is the general consensus when it comes to practice variability?

Answer 16

the exposure to a variety of experiences enhances the learning process

• in the selected skill
• in the adaptation capability

Question 17

What is some supporting evidence for the variability of practice?

Answer 17

Shoenfelt et al (2002)
had ppts practicing free throws 4 days a week for 3 weeks.
1 group was constant at free throw line, other groups had varying levels of variability.

2 weeks taken off then a retention test

the more variable the practice, the greater the learning

Question 18

Define contextual interference

Answer 18

the memory and performance disruption that results from performing multiple skills or skill variations within practice

Question 19

How do blocked, random and serial methods of practice vary in terms of variability and contextual interference?

Answer 19

All have equal variability but blocked practice has dramatically lower contextual interference as only one skill/element is being practiced per session.

in terms of contextual interference
random > serial > blocked

Question 20

How does contextual interference affect learning?

Answer 20

negatively during practice but positively favours learning

Question 21

What are the negatives of blocked practice?

Answer 21

> does not foster adaptability to novel contexts
typically shows poorer results in retention and transfer tests
leads to overestimation of personal improvements (performance vs. learning)

Question 22

What factors may affect the suitability of a high contextual interference practice?

Answer 22

skill type

• lab vs. applied
• simple vs. complex
• degrees of similarity across practice variations

performer

• age
• starting level
• challenge point hypothesis

Question 23

Describe the challenge point hypothesis

Answer 23

random practice for simple skills
less contextual awareness fro beginners

• (Guandagnoli & Lee, 2004)

Question 24

Describe practice specificity

Answer 24

practise condition characteristics that influence motor skill learning

Question 25

Define the specificity characteristic of sensory-perceptual information

Answer 25

learning a motor skill is specific to the sources of sensory/perceptual info available during practice.

e.g. when amount of practice with vision increases, need for vision on subsequent tests increases too

Question 26

Define the specificity characteristic of environmental context

Answer 26

intentional or incidental cues. people learn more about the context than they’re told to and use these cues as aids to retrieve motor memory

may be why you’re more likely to win a home game, because there are more incidental and intended cues to draw from

Question 27

Define the specificity characteristic of cognitive processing

Answer 27

best practice is one w/ activities that require the same cognitive processing that’ll be required in the performance scenario

Question 28

What is a downside of high practice specificity?

Answer 28

improves the skill but doesn’t assure high transfer to a real life game situation when context or skill may vary slightly