An Investigation into the Effects of the Feedback of Knowledge of Results on Operator Performance

Abstract

Previous work on Knowledge of Results was surveyed and certain common effects were identified, together with certain anomalies. Particularly, the effects of Knowledge of Results on an industrial task were in doubt. The present investigation was designed to reduce this doubt and to examine the effects in the field in a production section of industry. Problems of field work arose, but effects of KR on the performance of seven S, occupied on sedentary hand work, was investigated over an eight-week period. Knowledge of Results was found to exert an influence on the performance of all S and this influence extended to a condition where Knowledge of Results was withdrawn. Performance, in the latter condition, was significantly higher than in a true No-Knowledge of Results condition. These effects were explained in the light of a hypothesised mechanism to explain the effects of Knowledge of Results on Human Performance. The hypothesis appeared to have a general application and was used to offer explanations of the main effects and anomalies reported in the literature.