Dilemmas in Training for Transfer and Retention

Appropriate methods of training to cope with rapidly changing job requirements and employment opportunities must include specific efforts to develop adaptive expertise, and thus avoid domain-specific knowledge that does not transfer. Methods of training that maximise immediate outcomes may do so at the cost of the longer term benefits of developing transferable skills. Transfer tests and longterm evaluation are necessary to detect which methods best develop generalisable skills. Cognitive factors known to be effective in facilitating transfer are effortful and may have unintended motivational consequences. Reviews relevant research. Includes 8 comments and a rejoinder. (Original abstract-amended)