Learning:

Information in STM (short term memory) + Rehearsal → LTM (long term memory) once in LTM, is learned

Performance:

Information filtered through sensory filter, picking appropriate cues → STM decides appropriate response (constant influx of sensory information → chunks of motor output) →the chunks of motor output information travels down spinal cord to target areas which would understand the information → these areas in turn tell peripheral neurons in limbs what to do (contract or relax muscles)

Brain’s Reaction to Stimuli:

Stimuli is anything we can sense or perceive around us. Our brain is wired in to protect us from danger. The initial cues of danger come from the environment around us. This is interpreted to be dangerous or not dangerous by our sensory filter. With mastery, the sensory filter isolates important stimuli for sport, from the irrelevant ones from distraction.

Information Processing Diagram

FILTER:

picks out relevant stimuli that STM will attend to and use.

example. You are bilingual, but find that no longer can paper. Then you realize that  are thinking in wrong language. You start thinking with new language filter, and can read again. 

STM (SHORT TERM MEMORY / WORKING MEMORY):

Small memory space (5+/- 2 units) is like processor in computer. Sometimes referred to as the Homunculus     inside your head behind the controls

LTM (LONG TERM MEMORY):

· Extremely large storage area, is like disk drive in your computer

· Contains Filter Mechanism and Motor Response Mechanism

MOTOR RESPONSE MECHANISM:

controls body movements, like muscle contraction, extension...

Effectiveness of filter and motor response depends on:

· Mastery - how information integrated (see learning)

· Appropriate Arousal / Wakeness (see physiology, anxiety)

· Proper Priming before performance (see retrieval cues)

Broadly speaking, the human brain is made of neurons. When neurons change structure, the result is learning. By default the human brain is always learning and therefore changing structure.
Specifically,

• Learn when 2 things at the same time in Short Term Memory (STM) / Working Memory
      → then events “associated” together.
• Information Processing model (see diagram) 
  • Information in STM + Rehearsal → LTM (long-term memory)(once in LTM, is learnt)
  • the longer that events in STM, the better learnt in LTM
• Can occur without our awareness
  • example hear song → reminds you of party
• Can occur with our intervention, using explicit rehearsal
  • example “house” → remind you of object prototype of house
  • example “running” → remind you of procedural prototype of running

Theoretically, anything can be associated with any other thing.

Examples of things that can be associated together in sport:

· perceptions (movement, sensory, emotional)

· cognitions (words, visualization)

Some things easier associated/learned than others:

· AV-pain, taste-smell associate well

· events remembered well

· meaningfulness (in context) - associated to a lot of things, so easy to retrieve
      versus trivia (not in context) - associated with little, so hard to retrieve

“Fading”

· occurs if not stimulated

“Forget”

· having troubles retrieving

· nothing ever lost

Other considerations

· Our brain is not selective. It can learn bad things as easily as good things.

· Our willingness to learn, increases our ability to learn. We become “susceptible” to learning. Hypnosis is a state of susceptibility.

· Watching others is “learning by osmosis”. We learn new skills by watching. Individual differences in transferring what we see into what we feel. Surround yourself with best talent.

Use rehearsal to learn something new (create new association)

Use rehearsal to prime brain

· help to find info and put up front the info you need (ex. proper athletic style)