Motor control and learning theories often describe the progression of skill acquisition through various stages. One prominent model is the Fitts and Posner three stages model, which includes the cognitive, associative, and autonomous stages.
Involves learner acquiring three characteristics
1) Adapting movement pattern acquired in initial stage to demands of any performance situation
2) Increase consistency of action goal achievement
3) Perform with an economy of effort
Initial Stage
Learner works to achieve two goals
1) Movement coordination pattern to enable some degree of success achieving action goal
2) Learn to discriminate between regulatory and non-regulatory conditions in environmental context
FITTS and POSNER
THREE STAGES MODEL
Autonomous
Stage
Process
- Final stage where performance of the skill is "automatic" (in terms of attention demanded
- Much time and practice
Characteristics
- Movements are accurate consistent and efficient
- Movement is largely controlled automatically
Associative
Stage
Process
- Person has learned to associate cues from the environment with required movements; works to refine performance to be more consistent
- Putting action together
Characteristics
- Movements are more fluid, reliable and efficient
- Some parts of the movement are controlled consciously,
some automatically
Cognitive
Stage
Process
- Beginner focuses on solving cognitively-oriented problem
- Gathering information
Characteristics
- Movements are slow, inconsistent and inefficient
- Large part of the movement are controlled consciously
