ABSTRACT
What.makes.expert.performance.different.from.novice.skill.execution?.At.first.glance,.one.might.suggest.that.the.answer.is.simple..It.is.the.quality.of.overt.behavior.that.separates.exceptional.performers. from.those.less.skilled..We.can.all.point.to.many.real-world.examples.of.such.performance.differences-just.try.comparing.any.professional.athlete.to.his.or.her.recreational.counterpart..Although. actual.performance.is.one.component. that.differentiates.experts.from.novices,.overt.performance. outcomes.are.only.part.of.the.key.to.understanding.skill.learning,.performance,.and.expertise..That. is,.skill-level.differences.not.only.are.reflected.in.one’s.on-line.task.performance.(i.e.,.the.real-time. unfolding.of. skill. execution.and. its. corresponding.performance.outcomes),. but. also. are. reflected. off-line,. in.situations.in.which.individuals.are.not.overtly.acting..In.the.current.chapter,.we.focus. our.attention.off-line.on.the.mental.simulation.of.action.in.an.attempt.to.shed.light.on.expertise.differences.in.action.perception,.representation,.and.production..Such.knowledge.not.only.informs.the. question.of.what.makes.an.expert.different.from.his.or.her.novice.counterpart.but.also.makes.salient. the.robust.and.widespread.influence.that.mental.simulation.has.on.our.understanding.and.representation.of.information.we.encounter-even.in.situations.in.which.individuals.have.no.intention.to.act.
