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The Effects of Rewards on Trial-and-Error Learning in School-Aged Children

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Title: The Effects of Rewards on Trial-and-Error Learning in School-Aged Children
Language: English
Authors: Hélène Grandchamp des Raux (ORCID 0000-0002-5855-9312), Tommaso Ghilardi (ORCID 0000-0003-0855-2814), Ori Ossmy
Source: International Journal of Behavioral Development. 2026 50(2):293-301.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Children, Early Adolescents, Rewards, Hypothesis Testing, Computer Games, Positive Reinforcement, Age Differences, Responses
DOI: 10.1177/01650254251321423
ISSN: 0165-0254
1464-0651
Abstract: Humans' ability to rapidly identify appropriate actions in new situations is critical for functional behavior. This skill develops through trial-and-error where humans learn to choose the optimal actions through rewards from previous acts. Here, we used computerized games to test developmental changes in how rewards affect trial-and-error learning. School-aged children (5- to 15-year-olds) played online games while receiving either positive rewards, negative rewards, or no rewards. We tested how the groups differed in performance and play strategy. Children who received negative rewards had higher success rates, fewer attempts, and more efficient strategies. They also showed significant improvement with age, similar to the controls but in contrast to children who received positive rewards. Our findings demonstrate a developmental shift in how rewards affect trial and error and suggest that negative rewards emerge as a powerful cognitive reinforcer during late childhood.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499913
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Effects of Rewards on Trial-and-Error Learning in School-Aged Children
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hélène+Grandchamp+des+Raux%22">Hélène Grandchamp des Raux</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5855-9312">0000-0002-5855-9312</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tommaso+Ghilardi%22">Tommaso Ghilardi</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0855-2814">0000-0003-0855-2814</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ori+Ossmy%22">Ori Ossmy</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Behavioral+Development%22"><i>International Journal of Behavioral Development</i></searchLink>. 2026 50(2):293-301.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 9
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Adolescents%22">Early Adolescents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rewards%22">Rewards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hypothesis+Testing%22">Hypothesis Testing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Games%22">Computer Games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Positive+Reinforcement%22">Positive Reinforcement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Age+Differences%22">Age Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Responses%22">Responses</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/01650254251321423
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  Data: Humans' ability to rapidly identify appropriate actions in new situations is critical for functional behavior. This skill develops through trial-and-error where humans learn to choose the optimal actions through rewards from previous acts. Here, we used computerized games to test developmental changes in how rewards affect trial-and-error learning. School-aged children (5- to 15-year-olds) played online games while receiving either positive rewards, negative rewards, or no rewards. We tested how the groups differed in performance and play strategy. Children who received negative rewards had higher success rates, fewer attempts, and more efficient strategies. They also showed significant improvement with age, similar to the controls but in contrast to children who received positive rewards. Our findings demonstrate a developmental shift in how rewards affect trial and error and suggest that negative rewards emerge as a powerful cognitive reinforcer during late childhood.
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        Value: 10.1177/01650254251321423
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 9
        StartPage: 293
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      – SubjectFull: Children
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Early Adolescents
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rewards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hypothesis Testing
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Games
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      – SubjectFull: Positive Reinforcement
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      – SubjectFull: Age Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Responses
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      – TitleFull: The Effects of Rewards on Trial-and-Error Learning in School-Aged Children
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            NameFull: Hélène Grandchamp des Raux
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            NameFull: Tommaso Ghilardi
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            NameFull: Ori Ossmy
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              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: International Journal of Behavioral Development
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