Visual illusions can facilitate sport skill learning

Abstract

Witt, Linkenauger, and Proffitt (Psychological Science, 23, 397-399, 2012) demonstrated that golf putting performance was enhanced when the hole was surrounded by small circles, making it look larger, relative to when it was surrounded by large circles, making it look smaller. In the present study, we examined whether practicing putting with small or large surrounding circles would have not only immediate effects on performance, but also longer-lasting effects on motor learning. Two groups of nongolfers practiced putting golf balls to a 10.4-cm circle ("hole") from a distance of 2 m. Small or large circles were projected around the hole during the practice phase. Perception of hole size was affected by the size of the surrounding circles. Also, self-efficacy was higher in the group with the perceived larger hole. One day after practice, participants performed the putting task, but without visual illusions (i.e., a retention test). Putting accuracy in retention was greater for the group that had practiced with the perceived larger hole. These findings suggest that the apparently larger target led to the more effective learning outcome.

Optimizing performance through intrinsic motivation and attention for learning: The OPTIMAL theory of motor learning

“…As demonstrated by Witt, Linkenauger, and Proffitt (2012), when the golf hole appeared larger because it was surrounded by small circles, participants produced more successful putts than when the hole was surrounded by larger circles and therefore appeared smaller (Ebbinghaus illusion). In a follow-up study, Chauvel, Wulf, and Maquestiaux (2015) assessed participants' self-efficacy as a function of perceived hole size and used a retention test to determine to what extent the performance-enhancing effects were relatively permanent and independent of the presence of the optical illusions. Both self-efficacy and learning (i.e., retention performance without optical illusions) were enhanced in the group that practiced with a perceived larger hole compared with a group that experienced a smaller-looking hole (Figure 2).…”

“…For example, expectancies can influence performance through proactive effects on effort expenditure (Fiorio, Andani, Marotta, Classen, & Tinazzi, 2014;Hutchinson et al, 2008) and on perception (Abrams & Weidler, 2015;Chauvel et al, 2015;Piedimonte, Benedetti & Carlino, 2015;Witt, South, & Sugovic, 2014). Perception, rather than being a pure reflection of objective sensory reality, incorporates perceivers' assessments of their own and relevant others' abilities (Linkenauger, Witt, Stefanucci, Bakdash, & Proffitt, 2009;Witt et al, 2014).…”

Can Visual Illusions Be Used to Facilitate Sport Skill Learning?

“…We argue that from a motor control and learning perspective the findings by Chauvel et al (2015) are somewhat surprising. That is, from a motor control perspective one may actually predict the opposite to occur.…”

The Aftereffects of Müller-Lyer and Ponzo Illusions: Differences Revealed in Sensorimotor Domain

“…The success of golf putting was more effective with the "larger" hole than with the "small" one. Chauvel et al (2015) using the same illusion and the same task examined whether practicing would have not only immediate effects on performance, but also longer-lasting effects on motor learning. One day after a training session, the participants performed the golf putting task without visual illusions.…”

“…Authors Illusion Task Effect Witt et al, 2012Chauvel et al, 2015 Ebbinghaus To put golf balls into a target circle.…”