How does transfer of learning takes place?

Transfer of learning refers to the effects of prior learning on new learning. It is considered to be positive when the earlier learning facilitates current learning. On the other hand, it is considered to be negative if the new learning is retarded. It takes place through general transfer and specific transfer.

• General transfer implies that prior learning predisposes one to learn another task in a better manner. The learning of one task warms-up the learner to learn the next task more conveniently. This warm-up effect lasts over one session of learning.

• Specific transfer means that every kind of learning consists of a series of stimulus-response associations. It means the effect of learning of earlier task on learning of second task. This kind of transfer depends on the similarity or dissimilarity between the initial learning tasks on the second task.