Psychomotor learning

Psychomotor learning refers to the process of acquiring and developing skills and abilities… …that involve both mental and physical coordination… but what doesn’t?

Skills:
Skills are cultivated through training, education, and experience. They allow for effective and proficient performance. Examples of skills include playing a musical instrument, cooking, programming, or writing.

Abilities:
Abilities are inherent or natural capacities possessed by an individual. They are often regarded as being innate. Abilities serve as the basis for acquiring skills. For example, spatial reasoning could be seen as an ability that can facilitate learning and excelling in fields like architecture or engineering.

Abilities provide the foundation (or potential) for developing in particular skills. Abilities can be seen as the tools or resources you have at your disposal, and skills as how you build upon or apply your abilities to achieve specific tasks.

Psychomotor learning:
The term “psychomotor learning” is composed of two elements: “psycho” and “motor.”

  • “Psycho” originates from the word “psychology,” which relates to the study of the mind, behaviour, and mental processes.
  • “Motor” refers to movement and physical actions.

When combined, “psychomotor” refers to the interplay between the mind (psycho) and physical movement (motor). It illustrates the connection between cognitive processes (thinking, understanding, perceiving) and the execution of physical tasks.