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The role of error‐correction procedures in the reinforcement of errors
Author(s) -
Magee Sandy K.,
Ellis Janet
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
behavioral interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.605
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1099-078X
pISSN - 1072-0847
DOI - 10.1002/bin.217
Subject(s) - psychology , task (project management) , reinforcement , error detection and correction , replication (statistics) , audiology , mean squared prediction error , social psychology , cognitive psychology , statistics , computer science , mathematics , algorithm , medicine , management , economics
In Study 1 three different error‐correction procedures and a trial‐and‐error procedure were implemented in a Japanese word/phrase receptive identification task. Training procedures differed in the specific type of error that evoked error‐correction feedback. Outcomes indicated that when the error‐correction consequence was contingent on incorrect responses, incorrect responses predominated initially. When this feedback consequence followed no response, non‐responding initially prevailed. Task mastery was achieved in fewer trials with error‐correction procedures than with the no prompt/trial‐and‐error. However, post‐mastery probes 1 week after mastery indicated retention was greater for participants in the trial‐and‐error training condition. These patterns indicated that the feedback prompt itself could be functioning as a positive reinforcer. Demonstration of this effect would have been more definitive had individual participants been exposed to each experimental condition, and the limited number of participants in the trial‐and‐error group weakened conclusions from Study 1. These outcomes necessitated procedural replication. The initial question remained unanswered: if feedback were delivered contingent on trainee request and not contingent on errors, how would this affect errors and retention? Study 2, with a prompt‐request (‘Show me’) answered this question. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.