In human performance, variability is usually something we’re trying to overcome.
Researchers at Harvard however, think that variability is the key to improved performance and how our nervous systems learn.
In a paper published in the journal of Nature and Neuroscience, Professors Smith and Olveczky (pictured right) demonstrated that subjects who initially showed more variability in a drawing task, performed significantly better by the end of the experiment.
“This suggests that the nervous system regulates not only the intended performance, but also the variability around it so as to optimise learning” said Olveczky.
This gives an interesting insight into the errors you make when performing a new task. Not only are they necessary, but they’re actually a design feature that ultimately optimises your performance.
Read more here.