The skill-based performance involves highly practiced, primarily physical actions in very familiar situations in which there is little conscious monitoring. Such actions are usually executed from memory without significant conscious thought or attention. Behavior is governed by preprogrammed instructions developed by either training or experience and is less dependent upon external conditions. Information that can be processed with little or no allocation of attention resources is called automatic processing. When skills are learned to the point of being automatic, the working memory load is typically reduced by 90%. This occurs after extensive practice of a task so that it can be performed “without thought.” Many actions in a typical day are controlled unconsciously by human instinct, such as keyboarding, writing one’s signature, taking a shower, and driving a car. In the skill-based mode, the individual is able to function very effectively by using pre-programmed sequences of behavior that do not require much conscious control. It is only occasionally necessary to check progress at particular points when operating in this mode.
Examples of skill-based activities for well-trained and practiced individuals include: