Which statement best describes the progression from Cognitive to Automatic stages?

Which statement best describes the progression from Cognitive to Automatic stages?

• A. It goes from automatic execution to step-by-step procedures
• B. It moves from step-by-step procedures to automatic execution
• C. It remains entirely cognitive with no motor involvement
• D. It bypasses practice entirely

Answer: (B)

Skill acquisition progresses from conscious, step-by-step control to automatic execution as you practice. In the cognitive stage you think through what to do and how to do it, often using explicit rules and a deliberate, slow approach. With repetition and feedback, those steps become integrated and executed with little conscious effort, leading to automatic performance. So describing the progression as moving from step-by-step procedures to automatic execution captures how practice shifts control from deliberate thought to effortless, automatic action. The other options don’t fit because staying wholly cognitive or skipping practice would not produce automatic execution.

Skill acquisition progresses from conscious, step-by-step control to automatic execution as you practice. In the cognitive stage you think through what to do and how to do it, often using explicit rules and a deliberate, slow approach. With repetition and feedback, those steps become integrated and executed with little conscious effort, leading to automatic performance. So describing the progression as moving from step-by-step procedures to automatic execution captures how practice shifts control from deliberate thought to effortless, automatic action. The other options don’t fit because staying wholly cognitive or skipping practice would not produce automatic execution.