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Learning Theory and Concepts

Plateau Effect

Foundational and Developmental Learning Concepts

The plateau effect is a phenomenon in which measures that were once effective at producing improvement lose their effectiveness over time, similar to diminishing returns, so that a person reaches a period with little or no further gain, or even a decline, in performance despite continued effort. In learning specifically, the plateau effect appears when students experience a dwindling benefit from their learning effort, a pattern documented in reading development, where research has found reading plateaus emerging during the upper elementary school years.

Facts
Core Claim
The plateau effect describes a stage, following an earlier period of steady improvement, in which continued effort or practice yields little or no further gain in performance, as seen in skill learning, exercise training and other trained abilities. 1
Classification
Education Level
Primary Education (ISCED 1) 1
Connections

Associated With

The learning curve article own Models section names a Plateau model, where learning ceases after cost reaches a sufficiently low level, connecting directly to the Plateau Effect entity.

Source Learning Curve (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Plateau effect (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • lead section, first sentence
    The plateau effect is a phenomenon that lessens the effectiveness of once effective measures over time.
  • Description, education-level classification
    In learning specifically, the plateau effect appears when students experience a dwindling benefit from their learning effort, a pattern documented in reading development, where research has found reading plateaus emerging during the upper elementary school years.
View the Source
Learning Curve (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Learning Curve, In economics section, Models subsection, Plateau model
Quote, Associated With: Learning Curve, In economics section, Models subsection, Plateau model
In other words, the learning ceases after cost reaches a sufficiently low level.
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