Skill Acquisition

Question 1

What is transfer of learning

Answer 1

The effect of the learning and performance of one skill on the learning and performance of another

Question 2

Positive transfer learning

Answer 2

When the learning of one skill helps the learning of another

Question 3

Negative transfer

Answer 3

When the learning of one skill hinder the learning of another

Question 4

Zero transfer

Answer 4

When the learning of one skill has no impact on the learning of another

Question 5

Bilateral transfer

Answer 5

When the learning of one skill is passed across the body from limb to limb

Question 6

What is massed practice
Advantages / disadvantages

Answer 6

No rest intervals

Adva:
Promotes fitness
Skill becomes automatic
Increase motor programmes
Time efficient

Disadvantages:
Fatigue
Negative transfer
Player needs to be motivated

Question 7

What is distributed practice

Answer 7

With intervals

When skill is
continuous
Complex
Low organised, can break it down
Serial
Externally paced

Question 8

Advantages/dis of distributed practice

Answer 8

Allows recovery

Less mental pressure

Allows mental rehearsal / feedback

Reduces danger

Dis:
Time consuming
Negative transfer

Question 9

What is varied practice

Answer 9

Changing the skills and drills, changing the type of practice

When skill is:
Complex open
Externally paced

Question 10

Advantages/ dis of varied practise

Answer 10

Gives motivation
Allows adaption
Builds a schema
Dis:
Time consuming
Possibility of negative transfer
Fatigue
Too demanding

Question 11

What is mental practice

Answer 11

Go over it in the mind without movement

When skill is:
Serial, complex

Question 12

Advantages / dis of using mental practise

Answer 12

Improves reaction time
Builds motor programmes
Builds confidence
Controles anxiety

Disadvantages:
Must be correct
Enviroment must be calm

Question 13

What are the stages of learning

Answer 13

Cognitive, associative and autonomous

Question 14

What is the cognitive learning stage

Answer 14

No motor programme, uncoordinated movement

Mental image created/Mental rehearsal is required

• Demonstrations are necessary

• Many mistakes are made/
Movements are jerky and lack
coordination

• Learning by trial and error

• Full attention is required on
learning and performing the skill

• Motor programmes have not yet
formed

Question 15

What is associative learning

Answer 15

Motor programme forming, smoother movement

Mental rehearsal is still required but you have a mental image of the skill in your head.

Movements are smoother and there are fewer mistakes

Longer stage of learning and some performers never progress out of this stage,

demonstrations are still needed developing so the performer can begin to focus on the finer aspects of the skill

Question 16

Autonomous learning stage

Answer 16

Motor programmes formed, automatic control, detail

Mental rehearsal and practice are required to stay at this level.

Movements are fluent efficient

Skills are executed automatically without conscious thought - few to no mistakes

The performer focuses on detail, tactics and advanced strategies.

Motor programmes are fully formed

Question 17

What is the features insight learning (Gestalt)

Answer 17

1.) preparation - Can’t solve the problem initially, data gathering

2.) Incubation - problem put on hold, problem worked on unconsciously

3.) Insight - Suddenly there is a mental representation of solution

4.) Verification - solution checked

Question 18

Advantages to insight learning

Answer 18

The learner learns new skills through experiencing the whole task

2. Part learning is not effective
3. Kinaesthesis and the flow of the task are maintained
4. There is a greater understanding of the skill as the athlete has to use their own cognitive processes to solve the problem – this means there is a greater understanding and therefore retention of the skill. Implications for coaches – pose questions to the athlete don’t just tell them what to do.
5. They use their insight and adapt to sporting situations.
6. Allows the athlete to be creative and develop their own strategies and tactics.

Question 19

What is insight learning - social

Answer 19

This is the learning or problem solving that happens all of a sudden through understanding the relationships of various parts of a problem rather than through trial and error

Question 20

What is operant conditioning skinner

Answer 20

This is also known as trial and error learning, it shapes behaviour and the environment is manipulated to promote a certain behaviour. And behaviour is shaped by reinforcement .

Operant conditioning based on Skinner’s work is the use of reinforcement to ensure the correct responses are repeated.

Characterised by 3 principles

Trial and error learning
The coach might manipulate the environment
Behaviour shaped by reinforcement S-R bond