Which term describes a transfer of learning that reduces performance when acquiring a new skill?

• A. Favorable Transfer
• B. Neutral Transfer
• C. Unfavorable Transfer
• D. No Transfer

Answer: (C)

Transfer of learning describes how what you already know affects how you learn something new. When prior training helps with a new skill, that’s favorable transfer; when it has no effect, that’s neutral transfer; when it makes learning harder, that’s unfavorable transfer. The scenario described fits unfavorable transfer because the prior learning interferes with acquiring the new skill, causing slower progress or more errors. For example, a dog trained to respond to a specific cue in one context might apply the same response to a different cue or situation where it’s incorrect, hindering performance rather than helping.