Definition
A condition in learning where prior knowledge or a previously learned skill interferes with, hinders, or disrupts the acquisition or performance of a new skill or task.
Plain English
When something you already know how to do gets in the way of learning something new, instead of helping.
Context Anchor
Used in instructor training when discussing how a student's past experience can either help or interfere with learning a new flying skill.
Derivation
From Latin transferre, meaning 'to carry across.' In learning theory, 'transfer' is what carries from one skill to another. 'Negative' here means the carry-across works against the learner rather than for them.
Why Pilots Care
Unrecognized negative transfer can lead to errors during aircraft transitions or when adopting new procedures.
Analogy
It is like getting into a borrowed car where the controls are in different places. Your old habit may make your hand reach for the wrong control, even though you know what you meant to do.
Grounding Statement
The key idea is interference: an old habit feels natural, but in the new situation it produces the wrong action.
Intuition Check
Negative transfer does not mean the student has a negative attitude. It means earlier learning is interfering with the new task.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor recognized negative transfer when the student kept reaching for the wrong control because it had been in a different location in their previous aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
Instructors look for negative transfer when a student applies old VFR habits during instrument training.