Knowledge of results facts for kids

Knowledge of results is a cool idea in psychology about how we learn. Imagine you do something, and then you get information about how well you did. This information helps you change what you do next so you can get better!

Think of it like this:

• If you touch something hot, you quickly learn not to do it again. That's a simple example of getting "knowledge of results."
• Or, if you're doing a math problem and your teacher tells you exactly where you made a mistake, that helps you understand and improve.

This idea is about getting feedback. It helps you learn and change your actions in a good way. Sometimes, people call it "immediate knowledge of results" because getting the information right away is often best for learning. It works for any kind of learning, whether you're a student or even an animal, when you get info about how good your action was.

There are other similar terms in psychology, but they each have small differences:

• KCR means "knowledge of correct results." This term suggests there's always one perfect answer.
• Operant conditioning and reinforcement are about using rewards or punishments to change behavior. It's like training someone or an animal.
• Feedback is a very general word. It can mean how any system adjusts itself. Like how a special part in an old steam engine (called a "governor") kept it running smoothly.

So, "knowledge of results" is a useful term because it focuses on the information you get after an action that helps you learn.

How We Know It Works

Scientists have done many experiments to see how "knowledge of results" helps people learn.

Early Learning Machines

One of the first experiments was with a machine made by Sidney L. Pressey. This machine was like an early teaching device. It would test you with multiple-choice questions and also teach you. When you picked an answer, the machine would tell you if you were right or wrong. This simple feedback helped people learn.

Active Learning and Feedback

Later, researchers looked at whether getting direct teaching before or after a question helped more. Generally, the answer was yes!

In one study, Michael and Maccoby showed instructional films to two groups of students.

• One group had to actively answer questions after watching. Then, after a short wait, they were told the correct answer.
• The other group watched the films but didn't get any feedback.

Both groups spent the same amount of time learning. The results showed that the group who actively answered questions and got feedback learned more. This showed how important getting information about your answers is!

Learning from Mistakes

"Knowledge of results" isn't just for the learner; it can also help the teacher! When a teacher sees the types of mistakes students make, it gives them information.

For example, if many students make the same mistake with decimal multiplication, the teacher learns that the teaching material might need to be clearer on that specific rule. This helps improve how the subject is taught in the future.

Learning Without Thinking About It

You don't always have to think hard to benefit from "knowledge of results." Sometimes, we learn things without even realizing it! This is called implicit learning.

Experiments show that people can learn complex information without being aware of it. Animals also show this. They learn from the results of their actions without needing to consciously think about it. It's believed that this kind of unconscious learning from results happened very early in evolution, long before conscious thought developed. This idea is sometimes called the "primacy of the implicit," meaning unconscious learning came first.