Which statement best defines positive transfer?

• A. Positive transfer refers to learning in one situation that aids learning in another similar situation.
• B. Positive transfer refers to learning in one situation that hinders learning in another similar situation.
• C. Positive transfer only occurs when moving from practice to performance.
• D. Positive transfer occurs only for bilateral transfers.

Answer: (A)

Positive transfer happens when what you’ve learned in one situation makes learning or performing in another similar situation easier. The idea is that the same motor patterns, strategies, or perceptual cues apply across tasks, so your brain can reuse prior learning rather than starting from scratch.

For example, the calm, consistent shot mechanics you develop while practicing a basketball free throw can help you shoot from other spots on the court, because the underlying actions and timing are similar. Similarly, sprinting technique learned in track can improve acceleration in another sport like soccer, since the fundamental demand—rapid leg drive and efficient force production—is shared.

So, this choice best captures how prior learning facilitates new learning when tasks are related. It’s not about learning hindering the new task (that would be negative transfer), nor is transfer limited to practice-to-performance, nor restricted to bilateral transfers.