exam qs for theories of learning

Question 1

Performers can learn skills using operant conditioning.
Discuss two benefits of learning using this approach. (2)

Answer 1

Two marks from:
- Coach has influence to encourage correct learning
- Manipulation of environment means ‘correct’ learning will (almost always) happen
- Can be used on young performers
- Effective with beginners / experts / all stages of learning
- (Positive) reinforcement / praise / rewards leads to effective skill
learning / increased confidence / increased motivation / strengthens SR bond
- Punishment points out errors / where changes need to made
- Enables coaches to praise skills that are along the right lines (even if
elements are performed wrong) OR
shaping allows stages of success
- Developing S-R bonds leads to automatic responses / quicker reactions
- Helps performers to develop correct S-R bond
- Learning is quick if a reward is given (on every occasion / complete
reinforcement is used)

Question 2

Positive reinforcement can help a performer to learn a skill in sport. For example, a coach could reward a badminton player with praise when her serve lands in the service box.
Using sporting examples, explain other ways that operant conditioning can be used to learn skills. (3)

Answer 2

• The badminton player learns to connect the stimulus of the high shuttle cock to the response of performing a smash.
• Coach could draw a large chalk circle on the floor to aim smashes into
• Coach praises that the player used the correct smash action even though he hit the net
• The badminton player learns through trial and error / experimenting with different ways of smashing the shuttlecock
• Negative Reinforcement - The teacher will stop telling / shouting at them to
  move into the correct position when the smash is performed well
• Punishment / law of effect - When the teacher shouts at the player for hitting the
  shuttle into the net they will learn not to hit the shuttle the same way again
• Thorndikes laws /
  law of readiness / law
  of exercise - The player needs to practice serves to learn them / strengthen S – R bond or The player needs to be physically / mentally ready to learn to smash in order to learn successfully

Question 3

Evaluate the use of rewards in operant conditioning (2)

Answer 3

• (+) Effective as rewards reinforce the type of behaviour required / S-R bond
• (+) Can be easy to give, e.g. stickers / badges / praise
• (+) Very effective for young performers / in early stages of skill learning
• (+) Can speed up the process of learning a new skill
• (+) Rewards motivate people / give incentive if trial and error is failing
• (-) Reward can become more important than doing the activity for its own sake / enjoyment of activity
• (-) If used at the wrong time can strengthen an incorrect S-R bond
• (-) Could expect rewards every time they learn a new skill or
  not motivated to learn a new skill unless there is a reward available or
  when rewards run out participation / motivation can be lost or
  reward becomes meaningless / ignored if overused