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Proof That Practice Does Make Perfect

Posted by Soulskill on from the its-just-like-falling-off-a-bike dept.

eldavojohn sends us an article about a discovery by Carnegie Mellon researchers that explains why repetitive studying or training is effective. Previous research had suggested the opposite, which ran counter to nearly everyone's personal experience. Scientists hope that this information will help us to learn more about diseases which affect the memory, such as Alzheimer's. From the article: "In a series of experiments the researchers blocked different receptors, including NMDA, to see the receptors' effect on long-term neural stimulation. They found that while the NMDA receptor is required to begin neural strengthening, a second neurotransmitter receptor -- the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor -- comes into play after this first phase of cellular learning. ...blocking mGlu receptors caused strengthening to stop."

4 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. I think they're looking at this the wrong way ... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... blocking mGlu receptors caused strengthening to stop.

    What I want to know is, how many people block their own mGlu receptors? I mean, there are an awful lot of people that just do not seem capable of learning from experience. Maybe they should be concentrating on finding a drug that will unstick those people's mGlu's.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  2. Re:I think they're looking at this the wrong way . by User+956 · · Score: 5, Funny

    What I want to know is, how many people block their own mGlu receptors? I mean, there are an awful lot of people that just do not seem capable of learning from experience.

    So *that* explains the 2004 election. It all makes sense now.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  3. Re:Sheesh by ComaVN · · Score: 5, Funny

    knowing that the Earth curved space in such a way to allow this is something quite different
    That's only a (flawed) theory. Intelligent falling is a much more plausible explanation.
    --
    Be wary of any facts that confirm your opinion.
  4. This isn't as obvious as it looks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Most people will agree that practice makes perfect. If you ask them which is more important, practice or talent, they will say that talent determines the degree of ultimate achievement. This, and other recent research, says they're wrong. Talent is highly over rated. Studies of experts and expert behavior show that a certain kind of practice produces talent.

    Just doing something a lot doesn't necessarily produce better ability. For instance one may play an hour of chess every day for years and never get much better. What is needed is 'deliberate practice'. Deliberate practice is methodical and involves learning from feedback. It is reflected in the old adage: "Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect."

    http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ768512&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ768512

    Ericsson cites a study of musicians studying at university. Their professors were asked to rate the students' chances of making it as a symphony musician. The correlation with previous practice was very strong. Those who would become symphony musicians had practiced 10,000 hours before they got to university. The second group, who wouldn't likely make it had practiced 7500 hours or less. A third group who would become music teachers had only practiced around 2500 hours.

    Ericsson gives many examples of research that point out that deliberate practice is by far more important than 'talent'. Most people having trouble believing that.