Target Size Manipulations Affect Error-Processing Duration and Success Perceptions but not Behavioural Indices of Learning
School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
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Brain Sci. 2019, 9(5), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9050119
Received: 29 March 2019
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Revised: 18 May 2019
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Accepted: 21 May 2019
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Published: 23 May 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurophysiological Correlates to Behavioural Performance in Motor Learning)
We evaluated if and how success perceptions, through target size manipulations, impact processes related to motor learning. This work was based on recent literature suggesting that expectations and self-efficacy exert a direct impact on learning. We measured arousal, kinematics, learner expectancies, motivation, and outcomes in a dart-throwing task. Novices (n = 29) were assigned to either a “Large-target” (horizontal target, 10-cm high) or “Small-target” (2-cm high) group for practice (t = 90), and both groups completed 24-h retention tests. The Small-target group took longer to plan and process feedback in the pre-throw and post-throw periods, respectively, and showed larger joint amplitudes early in practice compared to the Large-target group. As predicted, the Large-target group made more hits and had heightened outcome expectancies compared to the Small-target group. Surprisingly, only the Large-target group performed better than they expected. Despite the Large-target group having more target hits, enhanced expectancies, and more unexpected success, this group did not outperform the Small-target group on behavioural indices of performance and learning. This research questions assumptions and results related to success-related manipulations for task performance and mechanisms related to target size manipulations.
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Keywords:
motor learning; motor control; throwing; motivation; EMG
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MDPI and ACS Style
Ong, N.T.; Hawke, J.; Hodges, N.J. Target Size Manipulations Affect Error-Processing Duration and Success Perceptions but not Behavioural Indices of Learning. Brain Sci. 2019, 9, 119. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9050119
AMA Style
Ong NT, Hawke J, Hodges NJ. Target Size Manipulations Affect Error-Processing Duration and Success Perceptions but not Behavioural Indices of Learning. Brain Sciences. 2019; 9(5):119. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9050119
Chicago/Turabian StyleOng, Nicole T., Jamie Hawke, and Nicola J. Hodges. 2019. "Target Size Manipulations Affect Error-Processing Duration and Success Perceptions but not Behavioural Indices of Learning" Brain Sciences 9, no. 5: 119. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9050119
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