Which skill level involves the habit of performing tasks with little conscious effort?

The skill level that involves performing tasks with little conscious effort is characterized by the development of automaticity in actions. This means that an individual has practiced and repeated a task so often that it becomes second nature, requiring minimal cognitive resources to execute. At this stage, the individual can focus on more complex aspects of the task or environment while still performing the basic actions effortlessly.

In this context, achieving a habitual level of performance indicates a high degree of proficiency. For example, think of a skilled driver who can navigate through traffic while engaging in conversations or listening to music; their driving is largely on autopilot due to extensive practice and familiarity with the task.

The other options represent earlier stages of skill development. Imitation, for instance, involves replicating observed behaviors without deep understanding or proficiency, while repetition focuses more on practicing to gain familiarity but not necessarily to the point of automaticity. Mastery, on the other hand, denotes a comprehensive understanding and control over the task, which may still require conscious effort at times, especially in new or challenging situations. Thus, while habit and mastery are closely related, habit specifically pertains to the automatic nature of executing tasks with little conscious thought.