Episode 3
Unlocking Expertise: The Science Behind Skill Acquisition and Decision Making
In this episode, Martin talks to Professor Mark Williams, a leading authority on the acquisition and development of expertise. They discuss skill acquisition, the role of experience and purposeful practice. They also explore the use of simulators, the unique challenges of maintaining skills in high-stress environments and the importance of evidence-based practices in improving performance.
Guest, Cast & Crew
Mark Williams is one of the world’s leading authorities on expertise and its acquisition in sport. He also has experience in military settings, law enforcement, aviation and medicine. He has worked in a range of academic institutions in the UK and US, including Liverpool John Moores University, University of Sydney, University of Utah and Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition.
Hosted by Martin Jones https://www.ophp.co.uk
Edited by Bess Manley
Resources
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Chapters
00:54 Mark's Research Interests and Career Journey
02:59 Diving into Decision Making in High-Stress Situations
06:21 The 10,000 Hours Rule and Expertise
12:13 The Role of Simulators and VR in Training
16:44 Transferability of Skills Across Domains
23:43 Maintaining and Developing Skills
28:36 The Neuroscience of Learning and Muscle Development
29:32 Skill Atrophy in Different Domains
30:46 Deliberate Practice and Skill Maintenance
31:41 Repetition vs. Specificity in Training
33:02 Stress and Performance in High-Stakes Environments
35:12 Talent Identification and Development
42:11 Task Generic vs. Task Specific Cognitive Skills
44:42 Optimizing Learning Environments with Technology
51:15 The Importance of Evidence-Based Practice
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