Operant Conditioning

Question 1

What is Operant Conditioning?

Answer 1

“trial and error” learning that uses rewards/punishments to modify behaviour according to the S-R bond

Question 2

What is Positive Reinforcement?

Answer 2

Rewarding behaviours to strengthen the SR bond which encourages the performer to repeat it

E.g. saying “well done”

Question 3

What are the 2 types of Positive Reinforcement?

Answer 3

Complete Reinforcement:
- praising at every success which can devalue the reinforcement

Partial Reinforcement:
- using reinforcement sparingly to ensure stable and thorough learning

Question 4

What is Negative Reinforcement?

Answer 4

Not commenting when an unwanted skill is performed
OR
The threat + removal of a punishment

E.g.: A coach counts from 5 to 0 but doesn’t punish those that don’t make it in time as they hurried which was the desired behaviour

Question 5

What is Punishment?

Answer 5

Causing distress and discomfort to weaken the SR bond

E.g.: Subbing a player off, sitting them out for 5 minutes