Procedural learning

Definition

Procedural learning is a type of implicit learning that involves acquiring skills and habits through practice and repetition, rather than through explicit instruction or conscious awareness. This form of learning is often evident in activities like riding a bike, playing an instrument, or typing, where the individual may not be able to verbalize the steps involved but can perform the actions seamlessly. Procedural learning relies heavily on specific brain structures that support motor skills and memory consolidation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Procedural learning is often associated with activities that become automatic over time, allowing individuals to perform tasks without actively thinking about them.
2. The basal ganglia and cerebellum are key brain structures involved in procedural learning, helping to refine motor skills and establish habits.
3. Unlike declarative learning, which can be easily articulated, procedural knowledge is typically demonstrated through action rather than verbal explanation.
4. Practice is essential for procedural learning; the more one practices a skill, the more proficient they become, leading to a faster and more fluid execution.
5. Difficulties with procedural learning can manifest in conditions like developmental coordination disorder or certain types of amnesia, affecting an individual's ability to acquire new motor skills.

Review Questions

• How does procedural learning differ from declarative learning in terms of brain processes and outcomes?
  • Procedural learning differs from declarative learning primarily in how information is processed and recalled. While declarative learning involves explicit memory and requires conscious thought to recall facts and events, procedural learning occurs through implicit memory where skills are acquired via practice without active awareness. The basal ganglia and cerebellum are critical for procedural memory, facilitating the automation of tasks, whereas declarative memory primarily involves the hippocampus.
• Discuss the role of the basal ganglia in procedural learning and how it contributes to skill acquisition.
  • The basal ganglia play a vital role in procedural learning by facilitating movement regulation and habit formation. As individuals practice a skill repeatedly, the basal ganglia help encode these motor patterns into long-term memory, allowing for smoother execution over time. This brain structure enables the transition from cognitive stages of skill acquisition to automatic performance, demonstrating its significance in mastering complex motor tasks.
• Evaluate how difficulties with procedural learning can impact daily life skills and overall functioning.
  • Difficulties with procedural learning can significantly hinder an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks that require motor skills, such as driving, cooking, or participating in sports. Conditions like developmental coordination disorder can limit fine motor skills and coordination, making it challenging to execute tasks effectively. This can lead to frustration and decreased independence in daily activities, ultimately affecting an individual's quality of life and confidence in their abilities.

Related terms

Declarative Learning: A type of explicit learning that involves recalling facts and information, often requiring conscious thought.

Motor Skills: The abilities required to control the large and small muscles of the body for movements such as walking, throwing, or writing.

Cerebellum: A brain structure that plays a crucial role in the coordination of voluntary movements and procedural memory.