# learning curve (plateau)

*Ordinarily means:* the rate at which skill improves

the self-model's competence parameter drifts toward its wall, so further effort yields diminishing gains

- Computed level: L19 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: self-model

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [self-model](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-self-model.reflexive), [parameter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-parameter.condition), [drift](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-drift.aimless), [wall](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-wall.range-end)

**Through:** the self-model drifts its competence parameter toward the wall

**Novel properties:**
- diminishing returns in competence window

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-learning-curve.plateau*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-learning-curve.plateau.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*