ABSTRACT
Previous studies have shown that animated pictures are more effective than static pictures in promoting children’s learning, particularly in performing dynamic procedures. Moreover, researchers have demonstrated that the seductive details can positively influence students’ interest but can be detrimental to their learning. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of animated versus static pictures, combined with those of the presence/absence of seductive details, on children’s performance on an origami task in a naturalistic school environment. The specificity of the present study lies in the fact that we measured how children’s inhibitory control abilities influenced these effects. The study followed a 2 × 2 between-subject design: pictures (static vs. animated) by seductive details (with vs. without), resulting in four study groups. No effects of picture format were observed. Yet, results demonstrated that performance was negatively influenced by seductive details but only when children had low inhibitory control abilities.