I suspect bad introspection is still better than no introspection:
[Elder]: (chips flint)
[Watching youngster]: “You hit higher up this time — why?”
[Elder]: a) “I have no idea” b) “Uhh… the lump was bigger?” c) <cogent and detailed explanation of relevant portion of flint-chipping algorithm>
Answer b) provides marginally more training signal to the youngster than a), even if a lot less than c). Every little helps. Speed and accuracy of transferring skills to youngsters was load-bearingly adaptive.
I suspect bad introspection is still better than no introspection:
[Elder]:
(chips flint)
[Watching youngster]:
“You hit higher up this time — why?”
[Elder]:
a) “I have no idea”
b) “Uhh… the lump was bigger?”
c) <cogent and detailed explanation of relevant portion of flint-chipping algorithm>
Answer b) provides marginally more training signal to the youngster than a), even if a lot less than c). Every little helps. Speed and accuracy of transferring skills to youngsters was load-bearingly adaptive.