OPERANT CONDITIONING Flashcards
How is operant conditioning learnt?
Operant conditioning is learnt by trial and error. If the response is correct then performers are motivated to repeat it. If the response is incorrect they will be motivated to change it.
e.g. a golfer who hits a tee shot left will adjust their next tee shot to improve the outcome.
Who created operant conditioning?
Operant conditioning (Skinner) involves shaping the environment to manipulate behaviour and receiving rewards or reinforcement for those actions.
When is operant conditioning used?
Operant conditioning is commonly used in teaching motor skills and works on the principle that actions are made stronger by repetition.
A coach can accelerate the trial-and-error learning process by using strategies to?
Make correct responses stronger.
De-direct incorrect responses.
How are S-R bonds strengthened?
Positive reinforcement of successful behaviours will strengthen the S-R bond. This is the link between a stimulus and a certain response.
Practical example of S-R bond?
We learn by associating the correct response with a stimulus.
e.g. in tennis if an opponent hits a high lob the correct response is a smash shot.
This S-R bond can be promoted by using the right approach in training.
What are the four strategies used to strengthen S-R bonds?
Use positive reinforcement - Praise after the correct response
Allow early success – At first easy targets will ensure success. Initial success develops confidence in the performer.
Use mental rehearsal - Going over the performance in the mind helps to develop an automatic response to the stimulus.
Practise the task as a whole - The coach should allow the performer to practise the skill in its entirety in order to promote fluency in performance.
Incorrect actions can be weakened so that they are eliminated by?
Use negative reinforcement - If the performer begins
to make mistakes a coach withdraws praise.
Use punishment when actions are incorrect - Coaches should use punishment carefully to avoid lowering the player’s confidence while at the same time trying to prevent repetition of the unwanted response.
Punishments could be: booked, penalised or dropped.
What are Thorndike’s 3 laws?
Law of exercise
Law of effect
Law of readiness
What is Law of exercise?
repeating or rehearsing the S-R connections is more likely to achieve the desired response.
What is Law of effect?
If the response is followed by a pleasant consequence is likely to be repeated but if followed by unpleasant consequences is likely to be stopped.
What is Law of readiness?
The performer must be physically and mentally ready to complete a task.
