Abstract
BackgroundImitative learning is highly effective from infancy to old age; however, little is known about the effects of observing errors during imitative learning. This study aimed to examine how observing errors affected imitative learning performance to maximize its effect.MethodsIn the pre-training session, participants were instructed to pinch at a target force (8 N) with auditory feedback regarding generated force while they watched videos of someone pinching a sponge at the target force. In the pre-test, participants pinched at the target force and did not view a model or receive auditory feedback. In Experiment 1, in the main training session, participants imitated models while they watched videos of pinching at either the incorrect force (error-mixed condition) or target force (correct condition). Then, the exact force generated was measured without receiving auditory feedback or viewing a model. In Experiment 2, using the same procedures, newly recruited participants watched videos of pinching at incorrect forces (4 and 24 N) as the error condition and the correct force as the correct condition.ResultsIn Experiment 1, the average force was closer to the target force in the error-mixed condition than in the correct condition. In Experiment 2, the average force in the correct condition was closer to the target force than in the error condition.ConclusionOur findings indicated that observing error actions combined with correct actions affected imitation motor learning positively as error actions contained information on things to avoid in the target action. It provides further information to enhance imitative learning in mixed conditions compared to that with correct action alone.
Highlights
Imitative learning is highly effective from infancy to old age; little is known about the effects of observing errors during imitative learning
We evaluated the effect of observing error actions included in correct models when learning to pinch an object at the target force by imitative learning
There was no significant difference between the pre-and-post tests in the error condition (p = 0.212), whereas there was a significant difference between the pre-and-post-tests in the correct condition (p = 0.033)
Summary
Imitative learning is highly effective from infancy to old age; little is known about the effects of observing errors during imitative learning. Previous studies have found that observing a model performing a skilled action can enhance motor learning [11, 12]. Tang et al BMC Neuroscience (2022) 23:4 tasks or useful movement strategies, presumably enabling the observer to form a “perceptual blueprint” of the task to be learned [13]. Another explanation is the direct matching hypothesis that perceived movements automatically activate existing internal motor components in the same way as actual movements [14, 15]. Using the first-person perspective in imitation learning is considered more effective than the third-person perspective as an accurate state estimation for actions is perceived, which map more closely onto visual input of self-generated action [17]
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