learning curve

jargon A graph showing some measure of the cost of

performing some action against the number of times it has been

performed. The term probably entered engineering via the

aircraft industry in the 1930s, where it was used to describe

plots showing the cost of making some particular design of

aeroplane against the number of units made.

The term is also used in psychology to mean a graph showing

some measure of something learned against the number of

trials. The psychology graphs normally slope upward whereas

the manufacturing ones normally slope downward but they are

both usually steep to start with and then level out.

Marketroids often misuse the term to mean the amount of time

it takes to learn to use something ("reduce the learning

curve") or the ease of learning it ("easy learning curve").

The phrase "steep learning curve" is sometimes used

incorrectly to mean "hard to learn" whereas of course it

implies rapid learning.

Engineering.

Psychology.

(2002-01-22)