Toward an Understanding of Skill Decay: Retention of Automatic Component Processes

Abstract

This investigation addresses fundamental aspects of the reliability and stability of both basic cognitive functions and automatic processing components of skills. In the present experiment we investigated the pattern of component skill retention (or decay) exhibited after training on automatic and controlled processing task components. Participants were trained on a hybrid memory/visual, semantic-category search task and received low (720 trials), moderate (2,160 trials) and high (4,320 trials) amounts of consistently mapped (CM) training plus variably mapped (VM) training (720 trials). Retention was tested at five time intervals: one day, 30 days, 90 days, 180 days and 365 days following training. Critical data for this investigation involve the pattern of performance decay across conditions and retention intervals. After an initial decline in the first 30 days following training, performance in CM conditions remained stable from Day 30 to Day 365. VM performance was erratic. The present research has practical and theoretical significance for elucidation of the mechanisms underlying long-term retention of automatic processes. Specification of these mechanisms is essential in the attempt to predict performance after a period of inactivity, to determine what constitutes appropriate refresher training, and to designate which skill components to emphasize during training.