The Effects of Feedback and Positive Reinforcement On the On-Task Behavior of Dancers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of feedback on the on-task behavior of adolescent members of a dance company in central New York. The intervention consisted of immediate group and delayed individual feedback. We used a single-subject reversal design. We hypothesized that implementation of the feedback conditions would increase overall on-task rates and decrease variability relative to baseline rates. The data supported this hypothesis with increased on-task rates and decreased variability when the intervention was in effect.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• dance
• feedback
• on-task
• positive reinforcement
• public posting
• sport

This project was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an undergraduate Psychology course taught by the second author.

We thank John Liberatore for his assistance as the reliability observer in the study, and the members of the Absolute Dance Company for their participation in this study.