The Role of Feedback in Information Processing Models

Understanding Feedback in Motor Learning

Feedback plays a crucial role in how we learn and perfect movement skills. It's like having your own personal coach inside your head (and sometimes outside too!) that tells you how well you're performing.

Types of Feedback

1. Intrinsic Feedback (Internal)
   • Comes from your own sensory systems
   • Includes:
     • Proprioception (knowing where your limbs are)
     • Visual feedback
     • Auditory feedback
     • Tactile sensations
2. Extrinsic Feedback (External)
   • Comes from external sources
   • Includes:
     • Coach's comments
     • Video replays
     • Scoreboard results
     • Crowd reactions

Think of intrinsic feedback as your body's built-in GPS system, while extrinsic feedback is like having a navigation assistant giving you directions!

How Feedback Works in Information Processing

The Feedback Loop

1. Performance Execution
2. Feedback Reception
3. Comparison with Desired Outcome
4. Adjustment Decision
5. Modified Performance

A basketball player shooting free throws:

• Shoots the ball (Performance)
• Sees if it goes in (Feedback)
• Compares with ideal shot (Comparison)
• Decides to adjust arm angle (Decision)
• Takes next shot with modification (Modified Performance)

Knowledge of Results (KR)

• Tells you about the outcome of your performance
• Usually external and objective
• Examples:
  • "You scored 8 out of 10"
  • "The ball went wide"

Knowledge of Performance (KP)

• Focuses on the movement pattern itself
• Can be internal or external
• More detailed and specific
• Examples:
  • "Your elbow was too low"
  • "You're rotating too early"

Many learners focus too much on the result (KR) and not enough on the movement quality (KP), which can slow down skill development.

Timing of Feedback

Concurrent Feedback

• Occurs during the performance
• Useful for beginners
• Can be overwhelming if too frequent

Terminal Feedback

• Occurs after the performance
• Better for advanced performers
• Allows for self-analysis

The timing of feedback should match the performer's skill level and the complexity of the task.