Transfer across domains has been generally difficult to
find. Recent studies have indicated that abstract skills
m a y transfer if adequate task analyses are used to
define the target skill and people receive the proper
training in attaining the skill. This study examined
transfer of diagnostic skill across domains for
experienced subjects (extensive programming
experience but no electronics) aiid inexperienced
subjects (no [H-ogramming or electronics experience)
when domain-specific information was provided.
Four levels of diagnostic skill were identified.
Inexperienced subjects could solve problems but did
not display an advanced level of diagnostic skill in
either domain. However, all experienced subjects
displayed high levels of skill on most problems, both
in the domain of expertise and in the domain in which
they were inexperienced. Results suggest that a
general diagnostic skill can transfer spontaneously
across domains with extensive practice in one domain
and is not acquired to an advanced level without
training.