Towards a conceptual model of procedural knowledge degradation

Research has derived a dynamic range of theories associated with the acquisition of knowledge. In contrast, the current research seeks mechanisms by which acquired knowledge degrades, as well as mechanisms that could be computationally modelled. For procedural tasks, such as product assembly or supervisory control, variables including interference can inhibit the ability to retrieve procedural knowledge in different ways than the retrieval of declarative knowledge like phone numbers. High consequence tasks, such as air traffic control or maintenance on nuclear weapons, require proficiency to be maintained. Thus, an understanding of mechanisms that might complicate effective performance could improve approaches to job design. To explore theoretical underpinnings for procedural knowledge degradation, three areas of literature were explored. The areas included theoretical, computational, and ecological research. The literature serves as input for a conceptual model of procedural knowledge degradation.