Transfer

• Transferring Learning from One Context to Another

  • The influence of previous experience on the performance of a skill in a new context or on learning a new skill
• Positive transfer results from:

  • Similar components of the skill used in each setting
  • Similar cognitive processing is involved in the two settings
• Negative transfer can also occur:

  • Inherent difficulty of ‘unlearning’ - altering a preferred movement pattern developed in a particular setting
  • “Cognitive confusion” – uncertainty about how to move in a seemingly familiar environment
• Transfer of Learning ‘Take-home-messages for rehabilitation’

  • Include practice opportunities that are or closely simulate everyday contexts and situations i.e. those contexts and situations where the skills will be used
  • Take advantage of opportunities that allow patients to draw on previous experience