Which is NOT a stage involved in acquiring motor skills?

• A. Autonomous
• B. Associative
• C. Dissociative
• D. Cognitive

Answer: (C)

The stages involved in acquiring motor skills are cognitive, associative, and autonomous. The cognitive stage is where beginners figure out the task and rely on conscious thought and instructions. In the associative stage, learners refine the movement, correct errors, and smooth out technique. In the autonomous stage, the skill becomes automatic and can be performed with little conscious effort. The term that does not fit is dissociative; it isn’t a recognized stage in this motor learning model and is not used to describe how motor skills are acquired.