In the Fitts and Posner model, which stage involves the learner identifying tasks such as catching a ball?

• A. Associative stage
• B. Autonomous stage
• C. Novice stage
• D. Cognitive stage

Answer: (D)

This question tests how beginners understand and plan a new motor task. In the cognitive stage of Fitts and Posner’s three-stage model, the learner is focused on understanding what to do, identifying the task demands, and forming basic strategies. For catching a ball, a novice first has to figure out what cues to track, where to position the hands, and how the timing should work. This stage involves heavy thinking, attention, and verbal rules as the person tries to grasp the action before moving toward smoother, more automatic performance.

As practice continues, movement becomes more consistent (associative stage), and eventually the skill can be performed with little conscious thought (autonomous stage). So identifying and understanding how to perform the task—like catching a ball—fits the cognitive stage best.