Transfer Of Training In Motor Learning As A Function Of Degree Of First-Task Learning And Inter-Task Similarity
Report Number: WADC TR 52-64
Author(s): Duncan, Carl P., Underwood, Benton J.
Corporate Author(s): Northwestern University
Laboratory: Aero Medical Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1952-04
Pages: 44
DoD Task:
Identifier: ADA076057
Abstract:
Transfer between a first and a second task both available on the same piece of equipment was studied as a function of degree of learning of the first task and of degree of similarity between the tasks. There were four degrees of first-task learning, defined by the number of practice trials, and three degrees of inter-task similarity, defined by the number of stimuli and responses newly paired on the second task.It was found that the acquisition of the second task was facilitated by practice on the first task, and that the facilitation increased directly with the degree of first-task learning. Positive transfer also occurred with all degrees of inter-task similarity, and increased directly as similarity increased. Differential positive transfer resulting form variation of first-task learning lasted throughout all 60 acquisition trials on the second task; inter-task similarity produced differential positive transfer during only the first 30 trials.Some forgetting of the second task was present after a 24 hour rest; the forgetting neither varied as a function of the two main variables nor was attributable to to their prescence. Relearning of the second task was facilitated by practice on the first task, and the facilitation varied directly with the amount of practice. Facilitation of relearning also occurred for all variations of inter-task similarity, but was significantly less for the least-similar task.
Provenance: Hunt Library, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Author(s): Duncan, Carl P., Underwood, Benton J.
Corporate Author(s): Northwestern University
Laboratory: Aero Medical Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1952-04
Pages: 44
DoD Task:
Identifier: ADA076057
Abstract:
Transfer between a first and a second task both available on the same piece of equipment was studied as a function of degree of learning of the first task and of degree of similarity between the tasks. There were four degrees of first-task learning, defined by the number of practice trials, and three degrees of inter-task similarity, defined by the number of stimuli and responses newly paired on the second task.It was found that the acquisition of the second task was facilitated by practice on the first task, and that the facilitation increased directly with the degree of first-task learning. Positive transfer also occurred with all degrees of inter-task similarity, and increased directly as similarity increased. Differential positive transfer resulting form variation of first-task learning lasted throughout all 60 acquisition trials on the second task; inter-task similarity produced differential positive transfer during only the first 30 trials.Some forgetting of the second task was present after a 24 hour rest; the forgetting neither varied as a function of the two main variables nor was attributable to to their prescence. Relearning of the second task was facilitated by practice on the first task, and the facilitation varied directly with the amount of practice. Facilitation of relearning also occurred for all variations of inter-task similarity, but was significantly less for the least-similar task.
Provenance: Hunt Library, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University