Challenging the Norm: An Action Research Study Demonstrating that Learning can Occur without Mistakes


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 :

  1. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
  2. Cook, D. A., et al. (2013). Mastery learning for health professionals using simulation. Academic Medicine, 88(8), 1178–1186.
  3. Glenberg, A. M., et al. (2011). Improving early reading comprehension using embodied CAI. Instructional Science, 39(1), 27–39.
  4. Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning. Prentice-Hall.
  5. Lewin, K. (1946). Action research and minority problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4), 34–46.
  6. Metcalfe, J. (2017). Learning from errors. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 465–489.
  7. Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.
  8. Soiné, K., et al. (2019). Effects of error-promotion and error-prevention. Journal of Educational Psychology, 111(6), 987–1002.
  9. Terrace, H. S. (1963). Errorless discrimination learning. Science, 140(3565), 1185–1186.
  10. Skinner, B. F. (1958). Teaching machines. Science, 128(3330), 969–977.
  11. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
  12. Cook, D. A., et al. (2013). Mastery learning for health professionals using simulation. Academic Medicine, 88(8), 1178–1186.
  13. Glenberg, A. M., et al. (2011). Improving early reading comprehension using embodied CAI. Instructional Science, 39(1), 27–39.
  14. Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning. Prentice-Hall.
  15. Lewin, K. (1946). Action research and minority problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4), 34–46.
  16. Metcalfe, J. (2017). Learning from errors. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 465–489.
  17. Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.
  18. Soiné, K., et al. (2019). Effects of error-promotion and error-prevention. Journal of Educational Psychology, 111(6), 987–1002.
  19. Terrace, H. S. (1963). Errorless discrimination learning. Science, 140(3565), 1185–1186.
  20. 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.

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