Fitts and Posner Model

Definition

The Fitts and Posner Model is a framework for understanding the stages of motor skill acquisition, which identifies three distinct phases: cognitive, associative, and autonomous. This model helps explain how individuals progress from initial learning, where they consciously think about their movements, to a stage where actions become automatic and require minimal cognitive effort. The model emphasizes the importance of practice and feedback in skill development.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The cognitive stage is characterized by thinking through each movement, often resulting in errors as the learner tries to understand the task.
2. In the associative stage, learners refine their skills through practice, focusing on more specific aspects of performance and beginning to make fewer mistakes.
3. The autonomous stage represents the final phase where skills are performed automatically, allowing the individual to focus on other aspects of performance or strategy.
4. Feedback is critical at every stage of the Fitts and Posner Model, as it helps learners adjust their techniques and improve overall performance.
5. The model illustrates that progression through these stages is not always linear; some learners may regress or require additional time in certain phases based on practice conditions.

Review Questions

• How does the Fitts and Posner Model describe the transition between different stages of motor skill acquisition?
  • The Fitts and Posner Model outlines three key stages: cognitive, associative, and autonomous. In the cognitive stage, learners actively think about their movements and often make mistakes as they try to understand how to perform a task. As they move into the associative stage, they begin refining their skills with practice, reducing errors. Finally, in the autonomous stage, skills become automatic, allowing individuals to perform them without conscious thought.
• Discuss the role of feedback in the Fitts and Posner Model and its impact on each learning stage.
  • Feedback plays a vital role throughout the Fitts and Posner Model by providing learners with information about their performance. In the cognitive stage, feedback helps identify errors and clarify how to execute movements correctly. During the associative stage, feedback becomes more focused on specific aspects of performance to enhance skill refinement. By the time learners reach the autonomous stage, feedback can help fine-tune their skills or inform strategic decisions during performance.
• Evaluate how individual differences may influence progression through the Fitts and Posner Model stages.
  • Individual differences such as prior experience, cognitive abilities, motivation, and learning styles can significantly affect how quickly a person progresses through the Fitts and Posner Model stages. For instance, someone with previous experience in similar tasks may advance more rapidly from cognitive to associative stages due to familiar patterns. Conversely, a learner who struggles with motor coordination might spend more time in earlier stages. Recognizing these differences is crucial for tailoring instruction methods and practice strategies for optimal skill acquisition.

Related terms

Motor Learning: A process that involves acquiring and refining skills through practice and experience, leading to changes in performance and behavior.

Cognitive Load Theory: A theory that focuses on the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory, emphasizing the need to manage cognitive load for effective learning.

Feedback: Information provided to a learner about their performance, which can help reinforce correct actions or identify errors during skill acquisition.