Final answer:
Variable practice is when conditions or parameters are varied, while fixed practice involves consistent repetition. Massed practice is concentrated and uninterrupted, while distributed practice is spaced out over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Variable practice refers to practicing a skill or subject matter in a way that varies the conditions or parameters. This type of practice involves changing a single variable to understand its effect on the outcome. For example, in the experiment with pushing a box on different floor surfaces, varying the surface would be an example of variable practice.
Fixed practice involves practicing a skill or subject matter consistently and repetitively. In fixed practice, the conditions or parameters remain constant. An example of fixed practice is repeatedly solving similar math problems to reinforce a specific concept.
Massed practice refers to practicing a skill or subject matter in concentrated or uninterrupted sessions. It involves doing a large amount of practice in a short period. For example, studying intensively for several hours the night before an exam is an example of mass practice.
Distributed practice refers to practicing a skill or subject matter in spaced-out sessions over a longer period. It involves spreading practice sessions out to optimize learning and retention. An example of distributed practice is studying for an hour each day over a week leading up to an exam.