KNH 184 EXAM 3 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Define motor learning? - Answers - set of processes associated with practice or
experience leading to relatively permanent gains in the capability for skilled
performance
What is transfer of learning and how could you determine whether or not transfer of
learning had occurred? - Answers - Transfer learning can be defined as the gain or loss
in a person's proficiency at a certain task as result of practice on another task:
- Positive transfer when there is a gain in proficiency
-Negative transfer when there is a decrease in proficiency
What is the difference between a motor learning variable and a motor performance
variable? Provide an example of when a sport coach would be most interested in using
performance variables, and when he or she would be most interested in using learning
variables. - Answers - Performance variable - something that has a temporary effect on
performance.
Learning variable - permanent effect on performance
Explain why motor learning cannot be directly observed. - Answers - it is a process that
occurs in the CNS
T-F
An ascending performance curve always reflects improvement in performance. -
Answers - False
Why is a retention-interval necessary to test whether learning has occurred? - Answers
- determine whether or not the effects of practice are permanent:
- Through a followed test; it can be seen how much one truly learned because
temporary effects of practice fade
What is the difference between near and far transfer? - Answers - -Near transfer is
when what is being learned is quite similar, or virtually identical to what it affects. This is
easy and non-trivial.
-Far Transfer refers ability to apply learned capabilities to work environment even
though its not identical to the training environment, general/broad
Provide an example of how motor learning is critical to human existence. - Answers -
feeding yourself, reproduction
, T-F
A typical feature of a performance curve over the entire course of learning is that skill
changes are gradual at first and more rapid later. - Answers - False
Explain the difference between positive and negative transfer of learning. - Answers - -
Negative transfer of learning: Practicing action A leads to decreases in action B
(baseball players being advised not to golf during season)
-Positive transfer: Practicing action A leads to increase in action B (learning
mathematics helps students understand physics)
Performance curves can exhibit ceiling and floor effects. What are ceiling and floor
effects and why is it important to recognize them? - Answers - Performance curves
serve as a representation of motor performance plotted as a function of practice:
Ceiling Effect: occurs when the participants scores cluster towards the highest limit of
the measure;
Floor Effect: is the opposite, where the scores cluster towards the lowest limit of the
measure
What method must be used when determining the extent to which a motor task has
been learned? - Answers - Transfer Design
What are the fundamental requirements of a transfer design? - Answers - Trial
Retention interval Retention test
Performance at two points in time is compared to assess whether learning has
occurred. What are these two points in time? - Answers - Initial and retention test
Why is it inappropriate to refer to performance curves as learning curves? - Answers -
performance does not imply permanence as learning does
T-F
Practice can have simultaneous temporary and relatively permanent effects on the
learner. - Answers - True
What are two specific benefits of practice related to attention? - Answers - Reduces
capacity demands
Reduces effector competition
List and describe Fitts' stages of learning. - Answers - 1. Cognitive Stage: Figuring out
the skill/aka what to do: occurs when the beginning athlete is attempting to understand
the basic task. Challenges include how to hold the racquet, how to place the feet, and
where the boundaries are.
ANSWERS
Define motor learning? - Answers - set of processes associated with practice or
experience leading to relatively permanent gains in the capability for skilled
performance
What is transfer of learning and how could you determine whether or not transfer of
learning had occurred? - Answers - Transfer learning can be defined as the gain or loss
in a person's proficiency at a certain task as result of practice on another task:
- Positive transfer when there is a gain in proficiency
-Negative transfer when there is a decrease in proficiency
What is the difference between a motor learning variable and a motor performance
variable? Provide an example of when a sport coach would be most interested in using
performance variables, and when he or she would be most interested in using learning
variables. - Answers - Performance variable - something that has a temporary effect on
performance.
Learning variable - permanent effect on performance
Explain why motor learning cannot be directly observed. - Answers - it is a process that
occurs in the CNS
T-F
An ascending performance curve always reflects improvement in performance. -
Answers - False
Why is a retention-interval necessary to test whether learning has occurred? - Answers
- determine whether or not the effects of practice are permanent:
- Through a followed test; it can be seen how much one truly learned because
temporary effects of practice fade
What is the difference between near and far transfer? - Answers - -Near transfer is
when what is being learned is quite similar, or virtually identical to what it affects. This is
easy and non-trivial.
-Far Transfer refers ability to apply learned capabilities to work environment even
though its not identical to the training environment, general/broad
Provide an example of how motor learning is critical to human existence. - Answers -
feeding yourself, reproduction
, T-F
A typical feature of a performance curve over the entire course of learning is that skill
changes are gradual at first and more rapid later. - Answers - False
Explain the difference between positive and negative transfer of learning. - Answers - -
Negative transfer of learning: Practicing action A leads to decreases in action B
(baseball players being advised not to golf during season)
-Positive transfer: Practicing action A leads to increase in action B (learning
mathematics helps students understand physics)
Performance curves can exhibit ceiling and floor effects. What are ceiling and floor
effects and why is it important to recognize them? - Answers - Performance curves
serve as a representation of motor performance plotted as a function of practice:
Ceiling Effect: occurs when the participants scores cluster towards the highest limit of
the measure;
Floor Effect: is the opposite, where the scores cluster towards the lowest limit of the
measure
What method must be used when determining the extent to which a motor task has
been learned? - Answers - Transfer Design
What are the fundamental requirements of a transfer design? - Answers - Trial
Retention interval Retention test
Performance at two points in time is compared to assess whether learning has
occurred. What are these two points in time? - Answers - Initial and retention test
Why is it inappropriate to refer to performance curves as learning curves? - Answers -
performance does not imply permanence as learning does
T-F
Practice can have simultaneous temporary and relatively permanent effects on the
learner. - Answers - True
What are two specific benefits of practice related to attention? - Answers - Reduces
capacity demands
Reduces effector competition
List and describe Fitts' stages of learning. - Answers - 1. Cognitive Stage: Figuring out
the skill/aka what to do: occurs when the beginning athlete is attempting to understand
the basic task. Challenges include how to hold the racquet, how to place the feet, and
where the boundaries are.
