Skill Acquisition Rates and Patterns reviews and synthesizes the data and findings from the literature on skill acquisition, learning, retention, and transfer. This integrative review deals with the domain of time as it influences performance, i.e. with changes in capability to perform that occur as a function of time of practice. The author stresses the applicability of available information to the estimation of an appropriate time course for training and to related areas of potential training improvements.

Summary.- Background and Requirement.- Objectives.- Domain of Analyses.- Approach.- Initial Directions.- Modifying Approach and Emphasis.- Emphasizing Retention and Transfer.- Emphasizing Processes of Acquisition.- Acquisition Curves, Shapes and Parameters.- Basic Parameters.- The Nature of Acquisition Functions.- Comparative Analysis of Acquisition Functions.- Conditions that Affect Curve Shape.- Group vs. Individual Curves.- Behavioral vs. Engineering Approaches.- Some Relevant Theory and Findings on Acquisition.- The Nature of Skilled Performance.- Distinctions Between Skills and Abilities.- Stages and Phases of Learning.- Development of "Automatic" Behavior.- Schema Theory Explanations of Acquisition.- Contextual Interference.- Knowledge of Results and Feedback.- Part-Task and Task Simplification Approaches.- Prediction of Time to Train.- Retention.- Issues in Task and Skill Classification.- Generalizations and Discussion.- Overview.- Generalizations from the Data.- Generalizations About the Data.- Conclusions.- Mechanisms for Improvement.- Overview.- 1. Collection and use of Training data.- 2. More Flexibility in Training Time and Scheduling.- 3. Programs for Refresher Training.- 4. R&D on Task and Skill Description Systems.- References.