Feedback

For this assignment we were to pair up into groups of two. In these groups we were to blindfold one partner and have them go through a series of trials attempting to accurately place a dot on a line on a piece of paper. Both partners participated in the activity with one partner getting feedback after every attempt and one partner only getting feedback if they asked for it.

The way this was set up was by having both a start and a finish line on a single sheet of paper that was taped to the table. The experimenter would them place the participant's pen or pencil point on the start line. Once cued by the experimenter the participant would attempt to accurately place the point of their writing utensil on the finish line while being blindfolded. Each attempt was scored with a "0" if accurately place and either a "-" or "+" followed by a number depending on if the participant was over or under the finish line. Each participant was given three trials of 10 opportunities with one minute rest in between with a retention test with 5 opportunities after a 5 minute rest once finished with the third trial.


My partner Marley decided to be the participant who had to ask for feedback. Her results are as follows:

Trial one:

Finish line accuracy: 1 out of 10 times

over line: 4 out of 10 times

under line: 5 out of ten times

asked for feedback: 6 out of 10 times

Trial two:

Finish line accuracy: 1 out of 10 times

over line: 2 out of 10 times

under line: 7 out of 10 times

asked for feedback: 2 out of 10 times

Trial three:

Finish line accuracy: 0 out of 10 times

over line: 6 out of 10 times

under line: 4 out of 10 times

asked for feedback: 3 out of 10 times

Retention Test

Finish line accuracy: 1 out of 5 times

over line: 1 out of 5 times

under line: 3 out of 5 times

NO FEEDBACK

My results, getting feedback every time, where similar to Marley's whereas I was only able to accurately hit the finish line once in two of my three trials and once in my retention test.

Our results were very similar but should have looked a little different. I, getting feedback every time, should have been able to adjust and accurately hit the line while Marley only got feedback if she requested it. This result is common in events like this because the participant needs the feedback in order to try and visualize the next action that needs to be taken. In other activities such as baseball, football, or basketball too much feedback can hinder a players performance due to their dependency on that feedback.

Factors that could have influenced our outcome are depth perception, being visibly impaired already, and being stubborn.