ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

Which stage of learning is characterized by the skill becoming automatic for the performer?

1. Initial stage

2. Associative stage

3. Autonomous stage

4. Advanced stage

The correct answer is: Autonomous stage

The autonomous stage of learning is where the performer masters a skill to the extent that it becomes automatic. At this stage, the individual can execute the skill with little conscious thought, allowing them to focus on other important aspects of performance or even multitask without compromising the execution of the skill itself. This level of proficiency often comes after extensive practice and experience, where the neural pathways associated with the skill have been developed and reinforced. As a result, the performer experiences less cognitive load when executing the skill, which not only enhances their overall performance but also allows for greater adaptability to varying conditions and the possibility of refining technique further. The initial stage is where a learner is first exposed to a new skill and is typically characterized by a lot of conscious thought and effort. The associative stage comes next, where the learner begins to refine the skill through practice and can perform it with increasing fluidity. The advanced stage, while not a commonly recognized term in the stages of learning, does not specifically refer to the automated nature of skill execution that characterizes the autonomous stage.