Transfer Dynamics -- Schema Flywheel and Surface-Match Trap¶
Run the Transfer Dynamics Diagram Fullscreen
About This MicroSim¶
This causal loop diagram shows two reinforcing loops that compete for control of transfer capability. R1 (Schema Flywheel) is the productive loop: varied practice surfaces force structural abstraction, which builds schema strength, which enables far-transfer capability (with delay), which motivates more varied practice. R2 (Surface-Match Trap) is the corrosive loop: near-transfer success trains surface-feature reliance, which produces perceived competence that reduces the motivation to seek harder problems, and simultaneously suppresses structural abstraction. Practice on varied problems is the shared pivot node -- the lever that determines which loop dominates.
Diagram Details¶
graph LR
VPS["Variety of Practice Surfaces"]:::r1 -->|"+"| SA["Structural Abstraction"]:::r1
SA -->|"+"| SST["Schema Strength"]:::r1
SST -->|"+ with delay"| FTC["Far-Transfer Capability"]:::r1
FTC -->|"+"| PVP["Practice on Varied Problems"]:::shared
PVP -->|"+"| VPS
NTS["Near-Transfer Success"]:::r2 -->|"+"| SFR["Surface-Feature Reliance"]:::r2
SFR -->|"+"| PCO["Perceived Competence"]:::r2
PCO -->|"−"| PVP
SFR -->|"−"| SA
R1[" R1: Schema Flywheel -- reinforcing, productive "]:::looplabel
R2[" R2: Surface-Match Trap -- reinforcing, corrosive "]:::looplabel
classDef r1 fill:#4A90D9,stroke:#2C5F8A,color:#fff
classDef r2 fill:#E8795A,stroke:#C0392B,color:#fff
classDef shared fill:#7B8D8E,stroke:#4A6163,color:#fff
classDef looplabel fill:none,stroke:none,color:#555,font-size:12px