Authors :
Dr. Devinder Dhalla
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/msyezve4
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun563
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Traditional pedagogical theories promote the notion that mistakes are vital to learning. However, this action-
based empirical study investigates whether effective learning can take place without experiencing failure. A total of 100
participants were divided into two groups: a mistake-based learning group and a mistake-free learning group, both
exposed to equivalent educational interventions in psychology. The mistake-free group was provided with immediate
feedback, modeling, and reinforcement techniques. Results from post-intervention assessments and statistical analysis
(independent samples t-test and ANCOVA) revealed no significant advantage in learning outcomes for the mistake-based
group over the mistake-free group. The study suggests that structured guidance, anticipatory reflection, and success
modeling can enable efficient learning without the psychological cost of failure. Educational and therapeutic implications
are discussed. Traditional pedagogical theories promote the notion that mistakes are vital to learning. However, this
action-based empirical study investigates whether effective learning can take place without experiencing failure. A total of
100 participants were divided into two groups: a mistake-based learning group and a mistake-free learning group, both
exposed to equivalent educational interventions in psychology. The mistake-free group was provided with immediate
feedback, modeling, and reinforcement techniques. Results from post-intervention assessments and statistical analysis
(independent samples t-test and ANCOVA) revealed no significant advantage in learning outcomes for the mistake-based
group over the mistake-free group. The study suggests that structured guidance, anticipatory reflection, and success
modeling can enable efficient learning without the psychological cost of failure. Educational and therapeutic implications
are discussed.
Keywords :
Mistake-Free Learning, Anticipatory Guidance, Errorless Education, Action Research, Cognitive Modeling, Psychological Safety.
References :
- Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
- Cook, D. A., et al. (2013). Mastery learning for health professionals using simulation. Academic Medicine, 88(8), 1178–1186.
- Glenberg, A. M., et al. (2011). Improving early reading comprehension using embodied CAI. Instructional Science, 39(1), 27–39.
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning. Prentice-Hall.
- Lewin, K. (1946). Action research and minority problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4), 34–46.
- Metcalfe, J. (2017). Learning from errors. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 465–489.
- Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.
- Soiné, K., et al. (2019). Effects of error-promotion and error-prevention. Journal of Educational Psychology, 111(6), 987–1002.
- Terrace, H. S. (1963). Errorless discrimination learning. Science, 140(3565), 1185–1186.
- Skinner, B. F. (1958). Teaching machines. Science, 128(3330), 969–977.
- Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
- Cook, D. A., et al. (2013). Mastery learning for health professionals using simulation. Academic Medicine, 88(8), 1178–1186.
- Glenberg, A. M., et al. (2011). Improving early reading comprehension using embodied CAI. Instructional Science, 39(1), 27–39.
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning. Prentice-Hall.
- Lewin, K. (1946). Action research and minority problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4), 34–46.
- Metcalfe, J. (2017). Learning from errors. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 465–489.
- Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.
- Soiné, K., et al. (2019). Effects of error-promotion and error-prevention. Journal of Educational Psychology, 111(6), 987–1002.
- Terrace, H. S. (1963). Errorless discrimination learning. Science, 140(3565), 1185–1186.
- Skinner, B. F. (1958). Teaching machines. Science, 128(3330), 969–977.
Traditional pedagogical theories promote the notion that mistakes are vital to learning. However, this action-
based empirical study investigates whether effective learning can take place without experiencing failure. A total of 100
participants were divided into two groups: a mistake-based learning group and a mistake-free learning group, both
exposed to equivalent educational interventions in psychology. The mistake-free group was provided with immediate
feedback, modeling, and reinforcement techniques. Results from post-intervention assessments and statistical analysis
(independent samples t-test and ANCOVA) revealed no significant advantage in learning outcomes for the mistake-based
group over the mistake-free group. The study suggests that structured guidance, anticipatory reflection, and success
modeling can enable efficient learning without the psychological cost of failure. Educational and therapeutic implications
are discussed. Traditional pedagogical theories promote the notion that mistakes are vital to learning. However, this
action-based empirical study investigates whether effective learning can take place without experiencing failure. A total of
100 participants were divided into two groups: a mistake-based learning group and a mistake-free learning group, both
exposed to equivalent educational interventions in psychology. The mistake-free group was provided with immediate
feedback, modeling, and reinforcement techniques. Results from post-intervention assessments and statistical analysis
(independent samples t-test and ANCOVA) revealed no significant advantage in learning outcomes for the mistake-based
group over the mistake-free group. The study suggests that structured guidance, anticipatory reflection, and success
modeling can enable efficient learning without the psychological cost of failure. Educational and therapeutic implications
are discussed.
Keywords :
Mistake-Free Learning, Anticipatory Guidance, Errorless Education, Action Research, Cognitive Modeling, Psychological Safety.