Research Hit: Low Confidence Boosts Performance
Study links low confidence and feedback-seeking behaviour to improved learning and performance
Do you mean people with low confidence in general or low confidence on the task at hand?
Well, I suppose it could be both, but this research published at the end of last year is quite insightful into feedback, negative feedback, and subsequent learning and hence performance. This is relevant for education, the workplace, and society in general.
But to answer your question, the study investigated feedback on a task - but it could be that those with trait low confidence tended to be less confident in general.
Tell me more about the research…
Yes, this was a nicely designed study with 59 participants playing a memory game that they would be tested on later. But the thing is they would receive cash rewards for performing well. After practising they could then also decide to pay for feedback.
So they had to balance paying for feedback compared to winning more cash later?
Precisely. A nice experimental design which has real world applications because often we have to decide on similar things in the real world. It also means we can perceive the value of feedback - not to mention that there is also potentially an emotional hurdle to the feedback i.e. it is sometimes uncomfortable to get negative feedback even if it helps improve performance later.
What is also interesting is the researchers also measured stress levels though skin conductance. Confidence and stress were also self reported.
And what were the results?
The results showed that confidence was the biggest predictor of paying for feedback irrespective of how accurate this lack of confidence was. Stress did not predict feedback seeking which may be a surprise to some.
What was also interesting is that improvements in performance were linked to feedback seeking behaviour and that particularly receiving negative feedback saw the largest improvements in performance.
So negative feedback is best for improving performance?
Yes, it seems like it. Even though it may be uncomfortable. But remember the confidence level was most important.
What does this mean for us in the real world?
This aligns with multiple other lines of research. For example, research into learning agility shows that feedback seeking behaviour is associated with greater performance over time also in the business world. In another field that of gaming, we know that we continually get feedback and negative feedback. So feedback is essential for improving performance, especially negative.
But, remember, this doesn’t have to be given in a negative way. In this experiment it was given in neutral terms.
Secondly, that confidence in outcomes also plays a key role - though we may be attracted to those with high-confidence this may be misplaced and those with lower confidence may show a higher aptitude for learning. I am sure we all know some overconfident ignoramus!
So keep seeking feedback - and don’t be overconfident!
Precisely, welcome feedback even if negative. And if you’re low on confidence, seek feedback, even if negative. It will pay off later.
Reference
Christopher J. Cagna, Jamil P. Bhanji, Da’Quallon Smith, Mauricio R. Delgado, Elizabeth Tricomi,
Decisions to seek cognitive performance feedback: Potential determinants of feedback value and consequences for learning
Learning and Motivation, Volume 88, 2024, 102051
ISSN 0023-9690,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2024.102051