The impact of self-as-a-model interventions on children's self-regulation of learning and swimming performance

We compared two self-as-a-model interventions: self-modelling (viewing oneself perform an adaptive behaviour) and self-observation (viewing oneself perform at current skill level). Operating within Zimmerman's (1989 Zimmerman, B. J. 1989. A social cognitive view of self-regulated academic learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 81: 329–339. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], 2000 Zimmerman, B. J. 2000. “Attainment of self-regulation: A social cognitive perspective”. In Handbook of self-regulation, Edited by: Boekaerts, M., Pintrich, P. R. and Zeidner, M. 13–39. San Diego, CA: Academic Press. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) theory of self-regulated learning, we examined the effect of the modelling interventions on three self-regulatory processes (self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and self-satisfaction), as well as physical performance. Thirty-three children were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups. The two self-as-a model groups received the modelling intervention just before physical practice, whereas the control group received physical practice only. Analyses of the retention scores revealed significant differences for all dependent measures. Post hoc testing showed consistently that the self-modelling group performed better than the self-observation and control groups, and that the two latter groups performing similarly. These results provide support for the implementation of self-modelling interventions with children when teaching motor skills.