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Fig. 5.12 A scene from a
fishing port in Massachusetts
where knowledge can
influence perception (There is
a boat that has sunk next to
the dock. Only its mast is
visible next to the boat on the
right. The topic's web site
provides a more detailed
picture showing the missing
boat.)
Learning will also influence perception. It was not immediately apparent to the
photographer from the photograph in Fig. 5.12 what was wrong with this scene
(although it looked 'odd'), but it would be apparent fairly quickly to a boat captain.
This is a simple example of where knowledge or learning, can influence other
processes, such as vision.
5.4.5 Expertise
With extended practice, users become experts at their task. Generally, to become
world class, it takes about 10 years of practice as well as some deliberate reflection
and declarative learning, either from extensive self-tutoring or from a coach
(Ericsson 1996 ; Hayes 1981 ; Simon and Chase 1973 ; Simonton 1996 ). There are
exceptions, but these researchers argue that exceptions are truly rare. Less time is
required to attain local or national prominence in a particular field, or where a task
or technology is new. While practice is a usual and necessary condition, simple
practice is not enough to guarantee an expert level of performance: coaching and
deliberate practice are needed (Ericsson 1996 ).
This level of performance is interesting to people because it shows how good
performance can be. When the practice is on a socially important task, such as
flying planes or programming, it can also be quite rewarding to the practitioners.
Some theories suggest that with practice the user gains more than just speed in
the task. In some instances they appear to have greater memory for, and can pay
more attention to the task at hand (Ericsson and Kintsch 1995 ). In all cases, they
have more knowledge and better anticipation of what will happen in the task, and
in nearly all cases they have more accurate perception for and of the task details.
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