three-stage theory

the view that skill acquisition (e.g., of motor skills) proceeds through three stages that progressively require less attention and become more automatic. According to U.S. psychologists Paul Morris Fitts (1912–1965) and Michael I. Posner (1936– ), the stages are cognitive (understanding what needs to be done and how to do it), associative (improvement through practice and feedback), and autonomous (automatic performance). See also motor learning; skill learning.

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Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

idealistic monism

the position that all reality consists of a single substance, that substance being mind or spirit. See idealism; monism. Compare natural monism. See also mind–body problem.