Final answer:
The Fitts/Posner model delineates the three stages of motor learning as the cognitive, associative, and autonomous stages, which represent the progression from understanding and attempting the skill, to refining it, and finally to performing it effortlessly and automatically.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fitt's/Posner's 3 Stages of Motor Learning
The Fitts/Posner model describes the three stages of motor learning: the cognitive stage, the associative stage, and the autonomous stage. In the cognitive stage, individuals learn what to do and create a mental picture of the skill. This stage often involves a lot of errors and trial-and-error learning. Next, during the associative stage, learners start refining their motor skills, relying less on trial-and-error and more on consistent performance. During this phase, feedback is crucial as it allows individuals to understand their errors and correct them. Lastly, the autonomous stage is when the skill becomes automatic. Learners can perform the skill without having to consciously think about it, and their movements become efficient and accurate.
This model helps us understand the process through which motor skills are learned and become refined over time. For example, tasks akin to the finger-to-nose test in the FST (Field Sobriety Test) can demonstrate the third stage, particularly when the person performing the test relies on proprioception instead of visual feedback. Additionally, motor development in infants, as they progress from simple reflexes to complex motor patterns like walking, is illustrative of this staged learning process.