The psychology of learning

let’s digress and examine the psychology of learning. As it relates to routine. The concept of behavior chains. Now that’s chains like in chain link is well-known to psychologist who specialize in learning all learn. Behavior occurs in a chain. Each link in the chain is an increment of behavior. Take the example of an infant, learning to hold and drink from a bottle. The bottle is placed in the infant’s mouth. The first independent step is the child supporting the bottle with both hands while drinking in time, the child grasped the bottle with both hands. As the bottle approaches his mouth as an adult, the complex behavior of picking up a glass with one hand and taking a drink is initiated without thought.

Learning takes place in steps. I refer to these steps as links, the links form a chain and make a complete behavior. In this example of taking a drink. If you alter a link in this chain, you may spill the drink or at the very least the behavior becomes less efficient.

The same chain concept is true. No matter what behavior you consider alter one link in the golf swing chain and what happens. Performance changes the pre swing end swing and post swing routines. Each occur as a series of chain links alter one of those links or change. The order of the links and performance changes.

The pre swing chain and in swing chain are connected. The quality of performance is dependent upon consistently positive links in both chains, one weak link, and either chain will alter performance outcome.

Please continue with: Golf Routines