A Perceptual Learning Approach to Skill Transfer for Manual Control.

Abstract
This paper reviews theoretical concepts that might guide the usage of simulators for teaching manual control skills, and examine how well these concepts account for data obtained from a variety of transfer-of-training studies. Similarity and task simplification have been the most popular concepts used to explain transfer, but they fail to account for a considerable amount of data. Perceptual learning is proposed as a dominant process underlying the acquisition of manual control skill. The differentiation theory of perceptual learning presented by Gibson (1969) is shown to provide a consistent explanation for much transfer-of-training data that have hitherto been difficult to rationalize. Implications the use of simulators for teaching manual control are considered. Transfer refers to effects on performance with an operational system of prior practice on a training device. Additional keywords: Motor skill theory; Motor learning; Flight training.

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