Which approach best nurtures associative learners?

• A. Verbal feedback only
• B. Kinaesthetic/extrinsic feedback/correct faults
• C. No feedback
• D. Self-assessment only

Answer: (B)

When someone is in the associative stage of learning, they’re focusing on refining technique and reducing errors. The most effective support then is a combination of how the movement feels (kinaesthetic feedback) and external guidance that identifies faults and shows how to correct them (extrinsic feedback). This helps the learner tune their motor pattern, make adjustments, and move toward consistent, automatic performance. Relying on verbal cues alone tends to be less effective at this stage because the learner needs concrete cues about how the movement should feel and where faults are; having no feedback stops improvement, and self-assessment alone may miss subtle errors.