3.3 Intro to Motor Learning Theories

Question 1

What is the difference between learning and memory?

Answer 1

Learning is acquiring new knowledge or skills; memory is the retention of that learning for future use.

Question 2

Define implicit memory and give examples.

Answer 2

Implicit (non-declarative) memory works automatically without conscious effort, e.g., habits, riding a bike, typing without looking.

Question 3

Define explicit memory and give examples.

Answer 3

Explicit (declarative) memory requires conscious recall of facts or events, e.g., remembering names, places, or class material.

Question 4

What is motor learning?

Answer 4

The process of gaining or regaining movement skills through perception, cognition, and action.

Question 5

How does motor learning differ from motor performance?

Answer 5

Learning is a relatively permanent change in ability; performance is a temporary change seen during practice.

Question 6

Why is attentional processing important in motor learning?

Answer 6

It helps detect relevant environmental information, supports memory storage, and guides working-memory focus.

Question 7

Describe short-term (working) vs. long-term memory.

Answer 7

Short-term briefly holds small amounts of information (e.g., a phone number). Long-term involves structural brain changes for stable retention.

Question 8

Name the two main types of long-term memory.

Answer 8

Implicit (non-declarative) and explicit (declarative).

Question 9

List subtypes of implicit memory

Answer 9

Non-associative (habituation, sensitization), associative (classical & operant conditioning), and procedural learning.

Question 10

Explain habituation with a clinical example.

Answer 10

Decreased response to repeated stimulus; e.g., vestibular rehab uses repeated motion to reduce dizziness response.

Question 11

Explain sensitization with an example.

Answer 11

Increased response to a stimulus; e.g., after a painful poke, a light touch feels more intense.

Question 12

Define classical conditioning and give a PT example.

Answer 12

Learning that pairs two stimuli so one triggers the other’s response; e.g., verbal cue plus physical assist until verbal cue alone elicits movement.

Question 13

Define operant conditioning and give a PT example.

Answer 13

Learning through rewards or consequences; e.g., verbal praise for correct movement encourages repetition.

Question 14

What is procedural learning?

Answer 14

Gradual skill acquisition through practice and repetition until tasks can be performed automatically.

Question 15

Why vary practice conditions for procedural learning?

Answer 15

Varied practice helps patients learn general movement rules and transfer skills to new environments.

Question 16

What is declarative learning and when is it limited?

Answer 16

Conscious recall of facts or steps; limited in patients with cognitive or language deficits.

Question 17

How can declarative practice convert to procedural skill?

Answer 17

Through constant repetition, explicit instructions become automatic procedural knowledge.

Question 18

List the four processes required for declarative/explicit learning.

Answer 18

Encoding, consolidation, storage, and retrieval.

Question 19

Describe the encoding stage

Answer 19

Taking in information with attention and linking it to prior knowledge

Question 20

Describe the consolidation stage

Answer 20

Stabilizing and packaging information for long-term storage via structural brain changes.

Question 21

Describe the storage stage.

Answer 21

Maintaining information in long-term memory with large capacity

Question 22

Describe the retrieval stage

Answer 22

Recalling stored information—most accurate when in the same context as learning

Question 23

Why is motivation and context important in motor learning?

Answer 23

Focused attention and meaningful goals improve encoding, consolidation, and later recall.

Question 24

Summarize implicit vs. explicit memory roles in daily life

Answer 24

Implicit guides habits without awareness (e.g., brushing teeth); explicit is conscious recall of facts/events (e.g., birthdays).

Question 25

How can PTs use these principles in practice?

Answer 25

Provide meaningful, varied tasks; reward successful movement; allow repeated, context-rich practice to support both implicit and explicit learning.