Dynamic psychology research on habit formation is replacing vague verbal maxims of applied psychology with definite insights, including when practice makes perfect and when it does not.¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · theoretical r2 · q1
Currency · newest study 1910 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q1 i? Research on modifying instincts and capacities into habits and powers is replacing vague maxims with definite insights, e.g. when and why practice makes perfect and when and why it does not. → Thorndike 1910

Evidence¶

Thorndike 1910¶

Thorndike, E. L. (1910). The contribution of psychology to education. The Journal of Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0070113

q1 · i? · theoretical · r2

The author's characterization of research in dynamic psychology on the learning process, described as being increased rapidly. The passage also lists the law of diminishing returns from equal amounts of practice as a topic under study. No specific data are reported here.

"We are finding out when and why "practice makes perfect" and when and why it does not; wherein the reinforcement of a connection between situation and response by resulting satisfaction is better than the inhibition of alternative connections"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• In natural learning, elemental and higher-order habits develop together, so the most economic method is to practice with the highest-order habits possible — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Learning-curve plateaus were caused by learners' failure to overcome specific difficulties at critical stages, not by the order in which habits developed — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Habits tend to override intentions primarily under unfavorable conditions such as stress, time pressure, or low self-control — related
• Repeated reflective prompts may habituate, so scaffolding can replace rather than strengthen the user's own metacognitive habits — related