Accuracy of Imitative Production and Discrimination: Effects of Contingent Feedback

Abstract

The effect of contingent vs noncontingent feedback on accuracy of imitative production of 8 Polish words was examined for 7 males and 7 females at a rural day care center. In addition, a second measure, on which discrimination of correct and incorrect forms of the same Polish words was required, was administered before and after production training. Accuracy of production improved over sessions for the group receiving contingent feedback; accuracy of production in the noncontingent feedback group did not improve. Both groups performed at chance level during the initial discrimination test and improved significantly and nondifferentially on the later test. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for language development and imitation.