Lecture Outline

Lecture Notes: Transfer

Definition:

Transfer implies the influence of a learned task on one to be learned

[utilization of formed responses in a new situation related to one in which they were learned]

Basic concept:

Examples:

Transfer of performance:

Transfer of learning:

 

Forms of Transfer:

1. Positive:

2.

3.

Why does transfer occur:

1. Formal discipline theory - mental exercise is good for the mind

2. Identical elements theory - [Thorndike]

Magill's similarity of skill and context components

3. General principles theory -

People learn general principles or rules that apply across tasks. Magill's similarity of processing requirements.

Osgood's Transfer surface

a) uses a modified identical elements approach

b) predicts the kind of transfer (positive, negative, zero)

c) response and stimulus generalization

 

 

Intra Task, Inter Task and Bi-lateral Transfer

Intra task transfer:

the transfer that occurs within the same task often between different levels of difficulty.

Examples:

 

Paradigm:

 

Bartlet's inverted U hypothesis

Inter task transfer:

the transfer that occurs from practice on one task to another task.

Experimental example: Nelson

Typical results:

Positive transfer:

Negative transfer

Examples

Bi-lateral transfer: the transfer from one body part to another