An asymmetrical transfer effect in research on knowledge of performance

Abstract

Gibbs and Brown reported that the motivational aspect of knowledge of results had a significant effect upon performance of a repetitive monotonous task, aside from its informative and rewarding aspects. Chapanis (see 39: 2) duplicated the main features of the experiment and found there was no significant advantage in displaying output. The present note demonstrates that the discrepancy between these findings results from a difference between the experimental designs used. The 2-way asymmetrical transfer effects produced by Gibbs and Brown's design, in which Group I had condition K then NK, Group II had NK then K, show that knowledge of results may have a significant effect only when the task has previously been performed without it. The importance of other variables for future investigations of this topic are also briefly discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)