theories of learning

Question 1

what are the four theories of learning?

Answer 1

operant conditioning
cognitive theory of learning
gestaltist theory
social learning theory

Question 2

what is operant conditioning?

Answer 2

a connectionist/ associationist view of learning which focuses on manipulating and conditioning behaviour towards a stimulus using trial and error and reinforcement.
actions become shaped
S-R bonds are strengthened

Question 3

example of operant conditioning

Answer 3

in badminton learning to smash when a performer sees the shuttle cock high and near the net

Question 4

what’s reinforcement used for

Answer 4

used to strengthen S-R bonds and therefore increases the likelihood that the behaviour will occur in the same way again

Question 5

what’s positive reinforcement?

Answer 5

when a stimulus is given after the correct response. usually in forms of praise and reward

Question 6

example of positive reinforcement

Answer 6

a coach praising a footballer for making a successful cross.

Question 7

what’s negative reinforcement?

Answer 7

when an unpleasant/ adverse stimulus is withdrawn after the correct response.

Question 8

example of negative reinforcement

Answer 8

a coach stops shouting at a football player when they make a successful cross

Question 9

what’s punishment?

Answer 9

when a stimulus is given to prevent a response from occurring such as a forfeit.

Question 10

example of punishment

Answer 10

making a footballer do 20 press ups if they miss a penalty.

Question 11

what are Therndike’s 3 laws?

Answer 11

law of exercise
law of effect
law of readiness

Question 12

what’s the law of exercise?

Answer 12

repeating or rehearsing S-R bonds is more likely to strengthen them.
reinforcement is necessary

Question 13

what’s the law of effect?

Answer 13

if the response is followed by a ‘satisfier’ then the S-R bond is strengthened
if the response is followed by a ‘annoyer’ then the S-R bond is weakened
pleasant outcomes and more likely to motivate the performer

Question 14

what’s the law of readiness?

Answer 14

the performer must be physically and mentally ready to complete the task ahead.

Question 15

what’s associationist?

Answer 15

group of theories linked to connecting stimulus and response.
an individual is conditioned by a stimuli which is connected to appropriate results.

Question 16

what’s the cognitive theory of learning?

Answer 16

encourages thinking and problem solving and gain understanding and ability rather than trial and error in a more fixed environment.

Question 17

what’s insight learning?

Answer 17

using problem solving and memory of effective experiences to solve a new challenge.

Question 18

what’s interviewing variables?

Answer 18

the mental process involved in decision making

Question 19

what’s the Gestaltist theory?

Answer 19

the theory of perception.
perceiving objects as a whole
taking into account the environment
continually receiving information from our surroundings and work out what is happening by using our memories and past experiences.

Question 20

advantages of the gestaltist theory

Answer 20

performer becomes more independent and self-correct
adapt better to different situations
could make quicker progress
develop kinaesthesis

Question 21

disadvantages of the gestaltist theory

Answer 21

whole practice is not ideal for dangerous or complex skills and also for beginners.
learning could be slower if performer doesn’t know what to do so they could lose motivation
might not have any past experiences to draw on.

Question 22

what’s the social learning theory?

Answer 22

it’s based on watching and copying behaviour and social interactions from significant others.

Question 23

what’s are the things that make us more likely to copy behaviour?

Answer 23

1. people of importance to us/ role models
2. similar age/ gender/ sport/ culture
3. if the demonstration is accurate and successful
4. friendly and attractive model
5. if the observer is focused on relevant cues and can remember what they’ve seen
6. if the models behaviour is rewarded
7. clear/ repeated demonstration
8. motivated observer

Question 24

what are the 4 processes involved in the SLT?

Answer 24

1. attention
2. retention
3. motor reproduction
4. motivation

Question 25

explain the process of attention in the SLT

Answer 25

you must pay attention and focus on important cues. dependant on the attractiveness, competency and status of the model and also on your personal traits.

Question 26

explain the process of retention in the SLT

Answer 26

you have to remember it.
create a mental image
mental rehearsal techniques might help

Question 27

explain the process of motor reproduction in the SLT

Answer 27

you need to be physically able to imitate the skill being observed

Question 28

explain the process of motivation in the SLT

Answer 28

high motivation is needed, external reinforcements can be used to increase motivation

Question 29

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.

(i) Using sporting examples, explain other ways that operant conditioning can be used to learn skills.

Answer 29

1. Connectionist / S- R bond
   The badminton player learns to connect the stimulus of the high shuttle cock to the response of performing a smash.
2. Manipulation of environment
   Coach could draw a large chalk circle on the floor to aim smashes into
3. Shaping
   Coach praises that the player used the correct smash action even though he hit the net
4. Trial and error
   The badminton player learns through trial and error / experimenting with different ways of smashing the shuttlecock
5. Negative Reinforcement
   The teacher will stop telling / shouting at them to move into the correct position when the smash is performed well
6. Punishment / law of effect - annoyer
   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
7. 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