Introduction to Feedback
In sport psychology, feedback is the information a performer receives about their performance. It tells them what they are doing well and what they need to fix. Without feedback, a performer wouldn't know how to improve! Feedback is closely linked to guidance (which you will learn about in another chapter), but while guidance usually happens before or during a task, feedback is the "review" of how the task went.
For your Edexcel GCSE exam, you need to know four specific types of feedback and understand which ones are best for beginners versus elite athletes.
1. Intrinsic Feedback
Intrinsic feedback comes from within the performer. It is the "feeling" of the movement. When you hit a tennis ball perfectly in the center of the racket, you don't need a coach to tell you it was a good shot—you can feel it in your muscles and through the vibration of the racket.
Who is it best for?
Intrinsic feedback is most effective for elite (advanced) performers. Because they have lots of experience, they know exactly what a "perfect" movement should feel like. A beginner hasn't developed this "feeling" yet, so they might not realize they are doing something wrong.
Key Takeaway: Intrinsic = Internal/Feeling. Best for experts.
2. Extrinsic Feedback
Extrinsic feedback comes from an outside source. This could be a coach shouting instructions, the sound of a whistle, looking at a scoreboard, or watching a video replay of your performance.
Who is it best for?
Extrinsic feedback is vital for beginners (novices). Since beginners don't yet know what a skill should feel like, they rely on a coach to tell them what to change. However, elite athletes still use it too, especially to fine-tune tiny details of their technique.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume elite athletes only use intrinsic feedback. They use both, but they are the only ones who can truly rely on intrinsic feedback effectively.
3. Concurrent Feedback
Concurrent feedback is received during the performance. It happens "live" while the action is taking place.
Example: A marathon runner checking their heart rate monitor or a coach shouting "keep your arms up!" to a boxer during a round.
Pros: It allows the performer to make immediate adjustments to improve their performance right then and there.
4. Terminal Feedback
Terminal feedback is received after the performance or the skill has been completed.
Example: A gymnast receiving their score after a routine, or a football team watching a video analysis the day after a match.
Pros: It gives the performer time to reflect on the whole performance rather than just one small moment. It is often very detailed.
Quick Review Box:
- Intrinsic: From inside (feeling).
- Extrinsic: From outside (coach/score).
- Concurrent: During the event.
- Terminal: After the event.
Guidance vs. Feedback: Which fits where?
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first, but try to remember this pattern:
- Beginners usually need Extrinsic and Terminal feedback. They need to be told what to do and given time to think about it afterward.
- Elite performers are better at using Intrinsic and Concurrent feedback. They can feel what is happening and fix it while they are still moving.
Interpreting Graphical Data
In your exam, you might see a graph showing how a performer’s score changes when they receive different types of feedback. This is part of the Use of Data requirement for Component 2.
Example Scenario: A graph might show that a beginner's basketball shooting percentage increases significantly when they receive Extrinsic feedback but stays flat when they only use Intrinsic feedback.
Your Task: You would need to look at the lines on the graph and conclude that the extrinsic feedback was more effective for that performer.
How to analyze feedback graphs:
1. Look at the axes: Usually, the \(y\)-axis shows "Performance Score" and the \(x\)-axis shows "Time" or "Number of Trials."
2. Identify the trend: Is the line going up? That means the feedback is working!
3. Compare: If there are two lines (e.g., one for Intrinsic, one for Extrinsic), see which one reaches a higher point on the \(y\)-axis.
Summary Checklist
- Can you define Intrinsic and Extrinsic feedback?
- Do you know which one is better for a beginner?
- Can you explain the difference between Concurrent and Terminal?
- Can you give a sporting example for each one?
- Are you ready to look at a graph and describe how feedback helped an athlete?
Memory Aid: Think of Terminal feedback like a bus terminal—it's the end of the line! It only happens when the journey (the skill) is finished.