A new study debunks previous studies by suggesting that practice doesn't make perfect.
As important as practice is, it doesn't guarantee perfection. At least that's what the findings of a new study conducted by Michigan State University and Rice University suggests.
"Don't get me wrong. Practice is important," said Brooke Macnamara, lead author of the study, in a press statement "It's just not as important as many have thought. What does count for the skills is still unknown."
For the study, the researchers asked violin students to estimate their lifetime practice. They found that the average amount of practice estimated by the "best" students was about 10,000 hours, which was higher than the averages of less-skilled students. They also noted that practice accounted for 12 percent in mastering skills in various fields, from music, sports and games to education and professions. The importance of practice in various areas included 26 percent for games, 21 percent for music, 18 percent for sports, 4 percent for education and less than 1 percent for other professions.
Authors plan on conducting further studies to determine the factors that contribute to being an expert on an instrument, playing field, in the classroom or at work.
This is not the first study that has challenged the popular belief of practice making perfect. Earlier this year, researchers from the University of Sheffield conducted a study where they revealed similar findings.
"The study suggests that learning can be improved. You can learn more efficiently or use the same practice time to learn to a higher level,' the study authors said in a press statement. "As we live longer, and more of our lives become based around acquiring complex skills optimal learning becomes increasingly relevant to everyone."
The current study was published online in the journal Psychological Science.
