Enhanced expectancies facilitate golf putting

• Published in: Psychology of sport and exercise Vol. 22; pp. 229 - 232
• Main Authors: Palmer, Kimberly, Chiviacowsky, Suzete, Wulf, Gabriele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Motor learning; Perceived competence; Self-efficacy; Perceived competence; Motor learning; Self-efficacy
• ISSN: 1469-0292
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.08.009

To examine the influence of enhanced expectancies on motor learning, we manipulated learners' expectancies by providing criteria for “success” that were relatively easy or difficult to meet. Experimental design with two groups. Two groups of non-golfers practiced putting golf balls to a target from a distance of 150 cm. The target was surrounded by a large (14 cm diameter) and a small circle (7 cm diameter) during practice. The groups were informed that balls coming to rest in the large circle (large-circle group) or small circle (small-circle group), respectively, constituted a “good” trial. One day later, the circles were removed. Participants putted from the same distance (retention) and a greater distance (transfer: 180 cm). On both retention and transfer tests, accuracy was greater for the large-circle compared with the small-circle group. Enhancing expectancies by providing a relatively “easy” performance criterion led to more effective learning. •We examine whether easy versus difficult criteria for “success” enhance learning.•Two groups of participants putt golf balls to a target.•Large versus small circles around the target indicate “successful” putts.•Practice with an easy criterion (large circle) enhances retention and transfer.•Enhancing performance expectancies leads to more effective motor skill learning.