In psychology, motor sequence learning is the process of performing a predetermined sequence of motor actions with increasing accuracy. The sequence of motor activities in psychology can be broken down into a few different stages:
Learning stages
Motor sequence learning can occur with or without conscious awareness of the learning process. This has led to the concept of two different learning modes: explicit and implicit.
Goal-based vs. movement-based
Initially, learning is primarily goal-based, but with more practice, the skill becomes more movement-based.
Sleep and motor skill consolidation
The sleep period after learning a new skill is important for consolidating motor skills. Sleep restriction can negatively impact memory consolidation.
Here are some other things to know about motor sequence learning:
Sequence learning occurs within different coordinate frames, which map onto different neural circuits.
Different aspects of a procedural memory are enhanced through different offline mechanisms. For example, the goal component is enhanced during sleep, while the movement component is enhanced during wakefulness.