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Effects of positive social comparative feedback on motor sequence learning and performance expectancies
Allison F Lewis1, Rachel Bohnenkamp1, Lynn Johnson1
1Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.
Frontiers in Psychology
|February 10, 2023
Summary
Positive social comparative feedback may hinder implicit motor sequence learning. Providing feedback without context, like response time only, can be detrimental. Comparative context is crucial for enhancing expectancies and supporting skill acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Motor learning
- Cognitive psychology
- Skill acquisition
Background:
- Positive social comparative feedback informs learners of superior performance.
- Its impact on implicit motor sequence learning is not well understood.
- This study investigates its effect on motor sequence learning and expectancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of positive social comparative feedback on implicit motor sequence learning.
- To assess the influence of different feedback types on performance expectancies.
- To compare learning outcomes between groups receiving no feedback, response time only, and response time plus social comparison.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight participants practiced a joystick-based sequence task over two days.
- Three groups were formed: CONTROL (no feedback), RT ONLY (response time), and RT+POS (response time plus positive social comparison).
- Perceived competence and performance metrics (response time, peak velocity) were measured.
Main Results:
- All groups improved, but the CONTROL group outperformed the RT ONLY group in overall learning.
- The RT+POS group showed higher peak velocities than the RT ONLY group, despite similar response times.
- Both RT+POS and CONTROL groups reported increased perceived competence, unlike the RT ONLY group.
Conclusions:
- Feedback content is critical; context-free feedback (RT ONLY) may impair motor sequence learning.
- Comparative context in feedback appears necessary for enhancing expectancies and supporting implicit motor sequence learning.
- Positive social comparative feedback, when appropriately contextualized, can support skill acquisition and confidence.
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