Journal article
Performance gains from directed training do not transfer to untrained tasks
Acta psychologica, Vol.139(1), pp.146-158
2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2011.11.003
PMID: 22133724
Abstract
Given the increasing complexity of the tasks and skills needed in modern society, developing effective training strategies is of tremendous practical importance. Furthermore, training that improves performance of both trained and untrained tasks would be highly efficient. In the present study, we examined how directed training contributes to skill acquisition, and more importantly, to engendering transfer of training to untrained tasks. Participants learned a complex video game for 30
h (Space Fortress, Donchin, Fabiani, & Sanders, 1989) using one of two training regimens: Hybrid Variable-Priority Training (HVT), with a focus on improving specific skills and managing task priority, or Full Emphasis Training (FET) in which participants simply practiced the game to obtain the highest overall score. We compared game performance, retention of training gains, and transfer of training to untrained tasks as a function of the training regimen. Compared to FET, HVT learners reached higher levels of mastery on the game and HVT was particularly beneficial for initially poor performing participants. This benefit persisted seven months after training. However, contrary to expectation, both HVT and FET were unsuccessful in producing transfer to untrained tasks compared to a group that received limited game experience, suggesting that directed training and practice can produce task-specific improvements, but improvements do not necessarily transfer from trained to untrained tasks.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Performance gains from directed training do not transfer to untrained tasks
- Creators
- HyunKyu Lee - Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United StatesWalter R Boot - Department of Psychology, Florida State University, United StatesChandramallika Basak - Department of Psychology, Rice University, United StatesMichelle W Voss - Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United StatesRuchika Shaurya Prakash - Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, United StatesMark Neider - Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, United StatesKirk I Erickson - Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, United StatesDaniel J Simons - Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United StatesMonica Fabiani - Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United StatesGabriele Gratton - Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United StatesKathy A Low - Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United StatesArthur F Kramer - Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Acta psychologica, Vol.139(1), pp.146-158
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.actpsy.2011.11.003
- PMID
- 22133724
- NLM abbreviation
- Acta Psychol (Amst)
- ISSN
- 0001-6918
- eISSN
- 1873-6297
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000006, name: Office of Naval Research
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2012
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984002336502771
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