Learning Curve Definition
The learning curve is the rate at which a person or animal learns. It is usually measured as the number of correct responses made divided by the number of trials, or as the percentage of correct responses. The term was first coined in 1885 by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus.
The learning curve theory can be applied to any task that requires practice or repetition, from simple motor skills to complex intellectual tasks. The theory has been used extensively in business and economics to analyze productivity and costs. It can also be used to understand how people learn new information and how they forget it.
There are three main types of learning curves: power, exponential, and logarithmic. The shape of the learning curve depends on the nature of the task being learned and the individual learner.
The power law learning curve describes a situation where each unit of time spent on a task results in a fixed percentage improvement in performance. This type of learning curve is often seen in physical activities such as running or swimming, where there is a limit to how much faster someone can go no matter how much they practice.
The exponential learning curve describes a situation where each unit of time spent on a task results in a doubling of performance. This type of learning curve is often seen in tasks that require memorization, such as multiplication tables or vocabulary lists. It can also be seen in motor tasks such as typing or playing the piano, where speed and accuracy improve rapidly at first but then level
