The difference an explanation makes: Verbal debrief effects when children cope with uncertainty

Abstract

Previous research showed that uncertain, stochastic feedback drastically reduces children’s performance. Here, 145 children from 7 to 11 years learned sets of sequences of four left-right button presses, each press followed by a red/green signal. After each of the 15% randomly false feedback trials, children received a verbal debrief that it was either (1) a mistake, or (2) a lie, or (3) received a reassuring comment for 85% correct trials. The control group received no verbal debrief. In the stochastic condition children reflected more on previous trials than with 100% correct feedback. Verbal debriefs helped children to overcome the deterioration of the first two repetitions. Mistakes were discarded and therefore the most helpful comment. Lie debriefs yielded the most reflection on previous experience. Reassurance comments were not quite as efficient.