Learning theories

Question 1

name the 3 thorndike laws

Answer 1

• law of exercise
• law of effect
• law of readiness

Question 2

describe the 3 laws

Answer 2

law of exercising
- repeating the SR connection strengthens them and if the desired response occurs reinforcement is necessary

law of effect
- response is followed by a ‘satisfier’ which leads to the SR bond being strengthened however if the response is followed by a ‘annoyer’ the SR bond is weakened

law of readiness
- the performer must be physically and mentally able to complete the task effectively

Question 3

what are the 4 stages of social learning theory

Answer 3

1 attention
2 retention
3 motor reproduction
4 motivation

Question 4

describe the stage of attention in social learning theory

Answer 4

• attention must be paid if the individual is going to remember and learn the behaviour
• the performer is more likely to pay attention if the role model (or have high status) is similar to them for example same sex

Question 5

describe the stage of retention in the social learning theory

Answer 5

• individual must be able to retain the information of what they learnt from the role model

Question 6

describe the stage of motor reproduction in the social learning theory

Answer 6

• this is when the observer trys to reproduce the behaviour of what they have seen the model do
• physical capabilities and self-observation of reproduction affect the showing of behaviour

Question 7

describe the stage of motivation in the social learning theory

Answer 7

• if a reward is offered then the individual will be more likely to reproduce the behaviour

intrinsic motivation - motivated by yourself
extrinsic motivation - motivator that is not a feeling or view
vicarious reinforcement - observe an individual getting a reward so you are more willing to do the behaviour to get the same reward

Question 8

describe the cognitive theory of learning

Answer 8

• it is to do with the thinking and understanding rather than connecting certain stimuli to certain responses

intuitive learning - so the performers are learning by perception

it is sometimes know as insight learning

Question 9

positives of the cognitive theory of learning

Answer 9

• kinaesthetic sense
• understanding of the game
• satisfaction of working out problems
• helps develop intrinsic motivation
• creativity
• unique solutions

Question 10

negatives of cognitive theory of learning

Answer 10

• may learn poor technique
• no success so may become demotivated
• not good for dangerous activities

Question 11

describe operant conditioning

Answer 11

• trial and error learning
• manipulating the environment to produce a desired response
• strengthens SR bond
• develops kinaesthesis

Question 12

what is positive reinforcement

operant conditioning

Answer 12

• the stimulus given when desired response occurs

for example a sweet is given if the child scores a goal

Question 13

what is negative reinforcement

operant conditioning

Answer 13

• when something negative is taken away every time the desired response occurs

Question 14

what is punishment

operant conditioning

Answer 14

• a negative stimulus is given to prevent the response occurring

for example a child is talking in the lesson and the teacher shouts at them

Question 15

what are the positives about operant conditioning

Answer 15

• develops kinaesthesia and strengthens SR bond
• rewards motivate you
• good for beginners as you experience success
• know not to do the same again (punishment) or to repeat (success)

Question 16

what are the negatives about operant conditioning

Answer 16

• don’t develop an understanding
• only do it for rewards (not intrinsically motivated)
• boring/demotivates
• reliant on the coach