Target Size Manipulations Affect Error-Processing Duration and Success Perceptions but not Behavioural Indices of...

Area of Science:

• Motor Learning
• Cognitive Psychology
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Recent literature suggests expectations and self-efficacy directly influence learning.
• Success perceptions may play a crucial role in motor skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of perceived success, manipulated via target size, on motor learning processes.
• To examine how target size influences expectancies, motivation, and performance outcomes in a dart-throwing task.

Main Methods:

• Novice participants (n=29) practiced dart throwing with either a large (10-cm) or small (2-cm) target.
• Measures included arousal, kinematics, expectancies, motivation, and performance outcomes.
• A 24-hour retention test assessed learning.

Main Results:

• The large-target group reported higher outcome expectancies and achieved more hits.
• The small-target group exhibited longer planning and feedback processing times and larger joint amplitudes early in practice.
• Despite greater perceived success, the large-target group did not show superior learning compared to the small-target group.

Conclusions:

• Success manipulations via target size influence performance expectancies and outcomes but not necessarily motor learning.
• The study challenges assumptions about the direct benefits of success-based interventions in motor skill acquisition.
• Findings suggest target size influences specific kinematic and cognitive processes without conferring a learning advantage.