In motor learning, how do you differentiate error of performance from error of outcome?

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Multiple Choice

In motor learning, how do you differentiate error of performance from error of outcome?

Error of performance looks at the movement itself—the quality, form, trajectory, and coordination of how you execute the action. Error of outcome looks at the result relative to the goal—the endpoint accuracy or how close you get to the target. So, you can perform with smooth, well-coordinated movement (low error of performance) but still miss the target if the endpoint is off (high error of outcome). Conversely, you could have a movement that hits the target despite not moving perfectly, yielding low error of outcome but relatively higher error of performance. That’s why the correct distinction is movement quality versus endpoint accuracy. It isn’t about being the same concept, and it isn’t limited to cognitive tasks; motor practice often analyzes both how you move and where your movement ends up.

Error of performance looks at the movement itself—the quality, form, trajectory, and coordination of how you execute the action. Error of outcome looks at the result relative to the goal—the endpoint accuracy or how close you get to the target.

So, you can perform with smooth, well-coordinated movement (low error of performance) but still miss the target if the endpoint is off (high error of outcome). Conversely, you could have a movement that hits the target despite not moving perfectly, yielding low error of outcome but relatively higher error of performance.

That’s why the correct distinction is movement quality versus endpoint accuracy. It isn’t about being the same concept, and it isn’t limited to cognitive tasks; motor practice often analyzes both how you move and where your movement ends up.

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