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HMS, BM 2012 HSC 25

Outline the influence of prior experience on skill acquisition.   (3 marks)

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  • Prior experience accelerates skill acquisition through transfer of learning from similar movements. Athletes with related sport backgrounds progress more quickly through cognitive and associative learning stages.
  • For example, hockey players learning cricket benefit from existing hand-eye coordination and striking techniques. Basketball players transitioning to netball utilise established passing and spatial awareness skills.
  • Previous movement patterns provide a foundation for new skill development. Experienced athletes demonstrate better motor control and coordination when learning related skills compared to complete beginners.
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  • Prior experience accelerates skill acquisition through transfer of learning from similar movements. Athletes with related sport backgrounds progress more quickly through cognitive and associative learning stages.
  • For example, hockey players learning cricket benefit from existing hand-eye coordination and striking techniques. Basketball players transitioning to netball utilise established passing and spatial awareness skills.
  • Previous movement patterns provide a foundation for new skill development. Experienced athletes demonstrate better motor control and coordination when learning related skills compared to complete beginners.

HMS, BM 2016 HSC 24

  1. Outline the stages of skill acquisition.   (3 marks)

  2. Outline, using specific examples, the types of feedback that are appropriate at each stage of skill acquisition.   (4 marks)

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a.    Stages of skill acquisition

  • Cognitive stage involves beginners learning basic movement patterns with frequent errors and slow performance. Learners require significant mental concentration to understand fundamental skill requirements and movement sequences.
  • Associative stage features improved skill consistency with fewer errors and increased movement fluency. Learners can identify some mistakes and make basic corrections to their technique during practice sessions.
  • Autonomous stage demonstrates automatic skill execution with minimal conscious thought and very few errors. Learners perform skills fluently whilst focusing attention on tactical and strategic performance elements.

b.    Types of feedback

  • Cognitive stage requires external and knowledge of performance feedback to correct major technique errors. For example, a swimming coach provides verbal instructions about arm positioning during freestyle stroke practice sessions.
  • Associative stage benefits from delayed and knowledge of performance feedback allowing self-correction development. For example, a tennis player watches video footage after practice to analyse their serve technique and identify improvement areas.
  • Autonomous stage utilises internal and concurrent feedback for fine-tuning performance during skill execution. For example, an experienced basketball player feels their shooting motion and adjusts follow-through based on immediate sensory information.

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a.    Stages of skill acquisition

  • Cognitive stage involves beginners learning basic movement patterns with frequent errors and slow performance. Learners require significant mental concentration to understand fundamental skill requirements and movement sequences.
  • Associative stage features improved skill consistency with fewer errors and increased movement fluency. Learners can identify some mistakes and make basic corrections to their technique during practice sessions.
  • Autonomous stage demonstrates automatic skill execution with minimal conscious thought and very few errors. Learners perform skills fluently whilst focusing attention on tactical and strategic performance elements.

b.    Types of feedback

  • Cognitive stage requires external and knowledge of performance feedback to correct major technique errors. For example, a swimming coach provides verbal instructions about arm positioning during freestyle stroke practice sessions.
  • Associative stage benefits from delayed and knowledge of performance feedback allowing self-correction development. For example, a tennis player watches video footage after practice to analyse their serve technique and identify improvement areas.
  • Autonomous stage utilises internal and concurrent feedback for fine-tuning performance during skill execution. For example, an experienced basketball player feels their shooting motion and adjusts follow-through based on immediate sensory information.

HMS, BM 2024 HSC 5 MC

An athlete creates the following sequence of images in their mind as part of their training.
 

Which psychological strategy best describes the process being used by the athlete?

  1. Goal setting
  2. Concentration
  3. Mental rehearsal
  4. Relaxation techniques
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\(C\)

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  • C is correct: The sequence of images shows the steps of performing a high jump, which the athlete is visualising in their mind as a form of mental rehearsal/visualisation/imagery.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Images show visualisation, not establishing performance targets.
  • B is incorrect: Concentration involves focusing attention, not mentally rehearsing a sequence.
  • D is incorrect: Relaxation involves tension reduction methods, not skill visualisation.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 613

Explain how appropriate feedback types might differ between children learning fundamental movement skills and adults learning a new sport. Provide specific examples.   (5 marks)

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*Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.

  • Children require immediate performance feedback with simple cues because their processing capacity is limited. Using “big step” for hopping rather than technical explanations helps maintain focus.
  • Adults process detailed delayed feedback about mechanical principles due to developed cognitive abilities. Explaining weight transfer in golf swings with video enables understanding which leads to faster refinement
  • Children benefit from positive feedback as this builds confidence and therefore encourages participation. Highlighting successes before corrections creates supportive learning environments.
  • Adults connect results to performance adjustments effectively since they possess analytical skills. Understanding ball flight relates to racquet angle allows immediate technique corrections.
  • Both groups develop task-intrinsic feedback, but adults progress quickly because of experience interpreting body sensations.
  • Children need demonstration-based feedback as visual learning suits their stage, while adults utilise verbal approaches which facilitates complex understanding.
  • Therefore, age-appropriate feedback determines learning success by matching cognitive and emotional developmental needs.
Show Worked Solution

*Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.

  • Children require immediate performance feedback with simple cues because their processing capacity is limited. Using “big step” for hopping rather than technical explanations helps maintain focus.
  • Adults process detailed delayed feedback about mechanical principles due to developed cognitive abilities. Explaining weight transfer in golf swings with video enables understanding which leads to faster refinement
  • Children benefit from positive feedback as this builds confidence and therefore encourages participation. Highlighting successes before corrections creates supportive learning environments.
  • Adults connect results to performance adjustments effectively since they possess analytical skills. Understanding ball flight relates to racquet angle allows immediate technique corrections.
  • Both groups develop task-intrinsic feedback, but adults progress quickly because of experience interpreting body sensations.
  • Children need demonstration-based feedback as visual learning suits their stage, while adults utilise verbal approaches which facilitates complex understanding.
  • Therefore, age-appropriate feedback determines learning success by matching cognitive and emotional developmental needs.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 599 MC

A novice basketball player is learning to shoot free throws. Which type of feedback would be MOST appropriate for this learner at the cognitive stage?

  1. Task-intrinsic feedback during the shot
  2. Concurrent feedback from a coach
  3. Knowledge of performance after the shot
  4. Knowledge of results with no technique guidance
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Knowledge of performance is most appropriate for cognitive stage learners as it focuses on the quality of execution rather than results, helping them establish proper technique before focusing on outcomes.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Task-intrinsic feedback requires proprioceptive understanding which cognitive learners haven’t developed yet.
  • B is incorrect: Concurrent feedback during execution can distract cognitive learners who need to focus on basic mechanics.
  • D is incorrect: Knowledge of results without technique guidance is insufficient for cognitive learners who need specific feedback on proper execution.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 549

Compare the focus of attention for learners in the cognitive and autonomous stages when learning to serve in tennis.   (4 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • In the cognitive stage, the learner’s attention focuses primarily on what to do, such as proper grip, ball toss height, and basic movement sequence, while the autonomous performer’s attention shifts to strategic elements such as opponent positioning and serve placement.
  • Cognitive stage learners require conscious control of each component movement in the serving motion, whereas autonomous performers execute the entire service motion as a single fluid sequence without conscious attention to individual elements.
  • Error detection differs significantly, with cognitive stage learners often unable to identify why their serve fails without external feedback, while autonomous performers can detect and correct errors as they occur during the movement.
  • The cognitive stage server focuses exclusively on basic execution under ideal conditions, whereas the autonomous stage server can adapt their serve to different environmental factors such as wind conditions or match situations.
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Sample Answer 

  • In the cognitive stage, learners focus on basic elements like grip and ball toss height. Autonomous performers shift their attention to strategic elements such as opponent positioning and serve placement.
  • Cognitive stage learners must consciously control each component of the serving motion. Autonomous performers execute the entire service motion as one fluid sequence without thinking about individual parts.
  • Error detection differs significantly between stages. Cognitive learners often can’t identify why their serve fails without external feedback. Autonomous performers can detect and correct errors as they occur during the movement.
  • Cognitive stage servers focus only on basic execution under ideal conditions. Autonomous stage servers can adapt their serve to different factors like wind conditions or match situations.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 547

Describe the role of feedback in the cognitive stage of learning a new swimming stroke.   (3 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • In the cognitive stage, immediate corrective feedback helps swimmers understand what adjustments are needed since they often cannot recognise their own errors in technique or body positioning.
  • Visual feedback through demonstrations or video replays creates clear mental images of proper technique, allowing swimmers to compare their performance against the model.
  • Positive reinforcement of successful attempts builds confidence and motivation to persist through initial difficulties, encouraging swimmers to continue practising despite experiencing discomfort or awkwardness.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer 

  • In the cognitive stage, immediate corrective feedback helps swimmers understand what adjustments are needed since they often cannot recognise their own errors in technique or body positioning.
  • Visual feedback through demonstrations or video replays creates clear mental images of proper technique, allowing swimmers to compare their performance against the model.
  • Positive reinforcement of successful attempts builds confidence and motivation to persist through initial difficulties, encouraging swimmers to continue practising despite experiencing discomfort or awkwardness.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 545

Outline the key characteristics of the cognitive stage of skill acquisition.   (6 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • The cognitive stage is characterised by the learner developing initial understanding of what the skill requires, with frequent large errors and inefficient movement patterns.
  • Learners in this stage need clear demonstrations and explicit instructions focusing on key aspects of the skill rather than complex details to avoid information overload.
  • Success experiences are essential during this stage to build confidence, often requiring modified practice environments or breaking skills into smaller components.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer 

  • The cognitive stage is characterised by the learner developing initial understanding of what the skill requires, with frequent large errors and inefficient movement patterns.
  • Learners in this stage need clear demonstrations and explicit instructions focusing on key aspects of the skill rather than complex details to avoid information overload.
  • Success experiences are essential during this stage to build confidence, often requiring modified practice environments or breaking skills into smaller components.