Evaluation of Prior Experience in Skilled Performance

Abstract

A review of some studies of skill acquisition indicates that a simple hyperbolic function fits data on individual performance well. The function yields an explicit value of prior experience related to the task. The particular function for an individual can be adjusted to a “hypothetical first” trial which is common to other members of the sample population. The individual constants in the adjusted functions may then be averaged arithmetically to give a mean function, which is also an hyperbola. Standard deviations of the values of the constants may also be computed. These too will be hyperbolic functions.