AQA · A-Level · Physical Education

    Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016

    Efficiency of information processing to include:: Sensory consequences.

    Sensory consequences form a crucial element of Schmidt's recognition schema.

    Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 26 of 30
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Sensory consequences form a crucial element of Schmidt's recognition schema. They refer to the intrinsic feedback a performer receives during and after a movement, primarily involving kinaesthetic information, such as the physical feeling of a tennis racket striking a ball. The performer uses this sensory information to evaluate their movement by comparing actual sensory consequences with expected sensory consequences. If a mismatch is detected, error correction occurs. The efficiency of information processing is vital here; autonomous performers process sensory consequences highly efficiently, allowing for rapid, automatic adjustments during performance, whereas cognitive learners process this feedback more slowly, reducing movement fluency.

    What earns the marks

    • Sensory consequences refer to the intrinsic feedback (kinaesthetic, visual, auditory) gathered during or after a movement.
    • Performers compare actual sensory consequences with expected sensory consequences to detect errors and make corrections.
    • The efficiency of processing sensory consequences determines how quickly a performer can adjust movements; autonomous learners process this feedback more efficiently than cognitive learners.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing sensory consequences with response outcome.

      Put it right: Response outcome relates to the end result of the action (knowledge of results), whereas sensory consequences relate to the intrinsic feel of the movement (knowledge of performance).

    • Ignoring the role of processing efficiency.

      Put it right: Do not just define the term; recognise that the speed and efficiency with which a performer processes sensory consequences affect their ability to make immediate movement adjustments.

    • Believing sensory consequences are part of the recall schema.

      Put it right: They belong to the recognition schema, which evaluates movement, whereas the recall schema initiates movement.

    Exam tips

    • Explicitly mention kinaesthetic feedback when defining sensory consequences in the context of schema theory.
    • Link the concept to the recognition schema and the process of error detection.
    • Contrast how efficiently autonomous and cognitive learners process sensory consequences to highlight the impact on performance fluency.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Efficiency of information processing to include:: Sensory consequences. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    In Schmidt's Schema Theory, which of the following best describes the 'sensory consequences' of a movement?

    Listen

    Sensory consequences form a crucial element of Schmidt's recognition schema. They refer to the intrinsic feedback a performer receives during and after a movement, primarily involving kinaesthetic information, such as the physical feeling of a tennis racket striking a ball. The performer uses this sensory information to evaluate their movement by comparing actual sensory consequences with expected sensory consequences. If a mismatch is detected, error correction occurs. The efficiency of information processing is vital here; autonomous performers process sensory consequences highly efficiently, allowing for rapid, automatic adjustments during performance, whereas cognitive learners process this feedback more slowly, reducing movement fluency. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Sensory consequences refer to the intrinsic feedback (kinaesthetic, visual, auditory) gathered during or after a movement. Performers compare actual sensory consequences with expected sensory consequences to detect errors and make corrections. The efficiency of processing sensory consequences determines how quickly a performer can adjust movements; autonomous learners process this feedback more efficiently than cognitive learners. A common slip: Confusing sensory consequences with response outcome. Instead, Response outcome relates to the end result of the action (knowledge of results), whereas sensory consequences relate to the intrinsic feel of the movement (knowledge of performance). Exam tip: Explicitly mention kinaesthetic feedback when defining sensory consequences in the context of schema theory.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. It starts with a node labelled 'Movement performed', which leads to 'Sensory consequences: intrinsic feedback (kinaesthetic, visual, auditory)'. This leads to 'Recognition schema evaluates movement'. From there the flow splits two ways. The first branch goes to 'Compare actual sensory consequences with expected sensory consequences', then to 'Mismatch detected', then to 'Error correction'. The second branch goes to 'Efficiency of information processing', which then splits into two outcomes: 'Autonomous learners: rapid, automatic adjustments' and 'Cognitive learners: slower processing, reduced movement fluency'.
    It shows how sensory consequences feed into the recognition schema, are compared with expected consequences to detect error and trigger correction, and how processing efficiency differs between autonomous and cognitive learners.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Sensory consequences

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Schema theory

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Intrinsic feedback

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Error detection

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Sensory consequences
    The intrinsic feedback a performer receives during and after a movement, primarily involving kinaesthetic information.
    Schema theory
    A theory in which sensory consequences form a crucial element of Schmidt's recognition schema.
    Intrinsic feedback
    Information received during and after a movement, such as the physical feeling of a tennis racket striking a ball.
    Error detection
    Comparing actual sensory consequences with expected sensory consequences, so that if a mismatch is detected, error correction occurs.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. It starts with a node labelled 'Movement performed', which leads to 'Sensory consequences: intrinsic feedback (kinaesthetic, visual, auditory)'. This leads to 'Recognition schema evaluates movement'. From there the flow splits two ways. The first branch goes to 'Compare actual sensory consequences with expected sensory consequences', then to 'Mismatch detected', then to 'Error correction'. The second branch goes to 'Efficiency of information processing', which then splits into two outcomes: 'Autonomous learners: rapid, automatic adjustments' and 'Cognitive learners: slower processing, reduced movement fluency'.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

    There is more to this lesson

    The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.

    Carry on with the full lesson

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    Test your understanding of Efficiency of information processing to include:: Sensory consequences.

    Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.

    Take topic quiz

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    Start free

    Cookies on MasteryMind

    Essential cookies keep you signed in.

    Analytics and advertising cookies stay off unless you accept.

    Read our Privacy Policy.