Autonomy in learning: Predictability modulates the beneficial effect of choice on learning

When people are offered the opportunity to choose, they tend to learn better. To investigate cognitive mechanisms of this beneficial effect of choice on learning, a learning task was designed in which we independently manipulated choice and predictability. In half of the blocks, participants could choose which object they wanted to see, while in other blocks, choices were made for them. Meanwhile, in half of the blocks, they would always see the selected object (high predictability), while in other blocks, they had 50% chance to see the selected object (low predictability). Memory accuracy was tested by a recognition task. We found a facilitatory effect of choice on learning under both high and low predictability. However, this effect was markedly smaller under low predictability. These findings suggest choices enhance learning because they are rewarding by themselves, while facilitating prediction processes. This study has important educational implications, urging teachers to offer choices to students and to satisfy students’ needs in classroom settings.