Correct-answer feedback alone was insufficient for generalization: significantly worse than lecture in Study 1, with the difference not significant in Study 2¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · causal r3 · q3
Currency · newest study 2026 · checked against its sources 2026-10-19 (automated, 2 of 2 entries) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? In Study 1's exploratory model, correct-response feedback was significantly less effective than lecture for generalization (.36 SD difference). → Michael W. Asher & Paulo F. Carvalho 2026 q3 i? In Study 2, correct-response feedback was 7 points less effective than lecture for generalization, but this was not significant. → Michael W. Asher & Paulo F. Carvalho 2026 (2)

Evidence¶

Michael W. Asher & Paulo F. Carvalho 2026¶

Michael W. Asher & Paulo F. Carvalho. (2026). Conditions for Effective Learning Without Upfront Instruction: How Practice with Feedback Supports Memory, Generalization, Motivation, and Metacognition. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10103-6

q3 · i? · causal · r3

Study 1 exploratory regression using lecture as reference showed "correct-response feedback was significantly less effective at promoting generalization, t(291) = −2.69, p =.008, a.36 SD difference (39% vs. 27%)", moderated by confidence (b = −.09, p =.017), with lecture also ineffective for less-confident students.

"In the exploratory model comparing lecture to correct-response feedback, cor- rect-response feedback was significantly less effective at promoting generalization, t(291) = −2.69, p =.008, a.36 SD difference (39% vs. 27%)."

Michael W. Asher & Paulo F. Carvalho 2026 (2)¶

Michael W. Asher & Paulo F. Carvalho. (2026). Conditions for Effective Learning Without Upfront Instruction: How Practice with Feedback Supports Memory, Generalization, Motivation, and Metacognition. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10103-6

q3 · i? · causal · r3

Study 2's secondary model found correct-response feedback "7 points less effective at promoting generalization than lecture, although this effect was not significant in Study 2, t(294), p =.153". The direction replicated Study 1 but the test did not reach significance in the open-ended format.

"In the secondary model comparing lecture directly to correct-response feed- back, correct-response feedback was found to be 7 points less effective at promot- ing generalization than lecture, although this effect was not significant in Study 2, t(294), p =.153."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Practice with feedback—either correct-answer or explanatory—produces better memory than lecture, in both multiple-choice and open-ended formats — related
• Generalization from practice requires explanatory feedback and sufficient prior knowledge or confidence, with benefits concentrated among better-prepared learners — a broader claim this one bears on
• Learners judge explanatory feedback as more effective preparation than correct-response feedback, in both studies — related