The Role of Variability in Learning

Introducing variability in practice conditions enhances the learning of perceptual motor skills by encouraging individuals to explore more effective information sources. Utilizing a practical example, a new driver must learn that while the distance of oncoming traffic is initially perceived as useful, it does not consistently lead to safe decision-making. Instead, the driver is better served by using the time remaining until the approaching vehicle arrives at the intersection, called tau, which provides a clearer understanding of when to turn. This shift signifies a transition from relying on less informative, non-specifying sources to focusing on more robust, specifying variables, which is central to the educational process of attention.