This report relates current attentional research and theory to the development of skilled performance, with emphasis on how performance changes with practice. Dual process attention theory is reviewed, and the distinction between automatic and controlled processing is examined. The changing interactions between automatic and controlled processing in the development of skill are discussed, and it is proposed that consistent practice produces automatic productions which perform consistent transformations in a heterarchial system. The qualities of automatic productions are identified as being modular, showing high transfer, becoming resource free, not being under direct control, and being fast, accurate, and coordinated. Assumptions about controlled processing are also discussed, including how such processes develop automatic processing, maintain strategy and time varying information, and perform problem-solving activities. Perceptual data, some motor data, and several motor performance examples are presented to show automatic controlled processing effects. The relationship to current theories of motor skill and new research paradigms suggested by the current approach are discussed. A 37-item list of references and 9 figures are included. (Author/LMM)