Variations in observation frequency in a self-controlled learning environment do not modulate learning of a pirouette en dehors

ABSTRACT

Little is known about the optimal frequency to observe a skilled model, yet this is potentially an important learning variable, and thus was examined in the context of self-controlled learning conditions. Participants chose the schedule in which they interspersed both physical and observational trials of a dance skill. The participants’ choice, however, was governed by an imposed observation frequency (OF) of either 25%, 50%, or 75%. Participants were in one of these OF groups, in addition to another group in which no constraint was put on OF. This last group was predicted to choose an OF of 10%, however, it was determined that they chose a 50% schedule. Consequently, a 10% OF group was added to the experimental protocol. All participants completed a pre-test, followed by an acquisition phase, and then a 24-hr post-test. Physical performance (F(1, 55) = 143.77, p< .001) and cognitive representation (F(1, 55) = 77.68, p< .001) scores both revealed a significant main effect of Test; scores at post-test were higher than those at pre-test. Thus, learning was demonstrated for both measures. No main effect of Group emerged. Consequently, OF varying from 10% to 75%, under self-controlled conditions, were equally beneficial for learning the dance skill.

KEYWORDS:

• Modeling
• observational learning
• practice
• motor skill
• self-control

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ A second cognitive representation assessment, an image selection test, was also completed. This test involved participants selecting six correct photos of the pirouette en dehors from a 6 × 6 array of images in which there were 30 distractor items. The results of the image selection test mirrored the results of the forced-choice test, and thus only the forced-choice test is reported herein.