Control becomes habitual early on when learning a novel motor skill

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Motor Learning
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Habits are often considered key to motor skill acquisition.
• Empirical research on the relationship between habits and motor skills is limited.
• Understanding this link is crucial for effective skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate when and how behavior becomes habitual during new motor skill learning.
• To examine the interplay between habit formation and skill improvement.
• To determine if early habits hinder or facilitate skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Participants learned a novel motor skill using a nonintuitive bimanual mapping.
• Behavioral habitualization was assessed by altering the mapping after practice.
• Skill level and habit strength were measured over 10 days of practice.

Main Results:

• Behavior became habitual within 2 days of practice, despite participants being relatively unskilled.
• Continued practice improved motor skill but did not change habit strength.
• Habitual behavior emerged early in the learning process.

Conclusions:

• Motor skills can become habitual rapidly, even before mastery.
• Early habit formation may be a critical component of motor skill acquisition.
• Habits play a significant role in motor skill learning and performance from initial stages.