[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Ericsson.jpg” caption=”K. Anders Ericsson”]Is the attainment of superior performance only limited by the quality of the training environment and the practice of skills, or do basic abilities like IQ and memory developed in childhood and adolescence limit an individual's success?

K. Anders Ericsson, a Conradi Eminent Scholar and professor of psychology at Florida State University, will give the William J. Walsh lecture on that issue at McMaster University on Thursday, April 21.

Ericsson will discuss how many scientists believe that basic abilities such as IQ and memory are un-modifiable, and that the established abilities of young adults are believed to determine the performance that they can attain in the sciences and arts, and professional domains, such as medicine.

Many areas of expertise, Ericsson feels, such as chess, music and sports, demonstrate that while intelligence and memory may be fixed, appropriate focused training activities–deliberate practice–can dramatically change body and brain, and over extended time modify virtually all characteristics relevant to superior performance.

Some activities of elite performance are truly amazing, Ericsson says — chess masters can play chess without seeing the chess board and elite tennis players can anticipate the location of serves even before the opposing server's racquet has hit the ball.

This is a timely lecture, says professor Geoff Norman, assistant dean of the Program for Educational Research and Development (PERD).

“Practice is a key component of the new medical school curriculum that the Faculty of Health Sciences is rolling out in September. The new program will help students master basic concepts through more opportunities to practice what theyve learned during class and study time.”

Implications for improved training of health professionals and others will be discussed at the lecture, which will be held in the Health Sciences Centre, Room 1A6, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Ericsson has published more than 100 papers and several books, including: Toward a General Theory of Expertise (1991); The Road to Excellence: The Acquisition of Expert Performance in the Arts and Sciences, Sports and Games (1996); and Expert Performance in Sports: Recent advances in research on sport expertise with Jan Starkes of McMaster (2003).