Which statement describes the Autonomous Stage in Fitts and Posner's model?

• A. Beginning with most errors
• B. Relying on cues for movement
• C. Performing skills independently
• D. Freezing degrees of freedom

Answer: (C)

In the Autonomous Stage, movements become automatic and require little conscious thought. The skill is refined enough that execution can proceed with independence, meaning you can perform without needing step-by-step guidance or constant external cues. This level of fluency also allows you to focus on higher-level aspects like strategy or adapting to different contexts while maintaining smooth, accurate performance.

The idea of performing skills independently captures this shift: the person no longer depends on deliberate control or instructions to execute the task well. In contrast, beginning with most errors describes the earlier cognitive stage where learners are figuring out the movement; relying on cues for movement points to needing external guidance, common in earlier stages; and freezing degrees of freedom reflects a beginner strategy to simplify control rather than a hallmark of automatic, independent performance.