theories of learning Flashcards
what are the four theories of learning?
operant conditioning
cognitive theory of learning
gestaltist theory
social learning theory
what is operant conditioning?
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
example of operant conditioning
in badminton learning to smash when a performer sees the shuttle cock high and near the net
what’s reinforcement used for
used to strengthen S-R bonds and therefore increases the likelihood that the behaviour will occur in the same way again
what’s positive reinforcement?
when a stimulus is given after the correct response. usually in forms of praise and reward
example of positive reinforcement
a coach praising a footballer for making a successful cross.
what’s negative reinforcement?
when an unpleasant/ adverse stimulus is withdrawn after the correct response.
example of negative reinforcement
a coach stops shouting at a football player when they make a successful cross
what’s punishment?
when a stimulus is given to prevent a response from occurring such as a forfeit.
example of punishment
making a footballer do 20 press ups if they miss a penalty.
what are Therndike’s 3 laws?
law of exercise
law of effect
law of readiness
what’s the law of exercise?
repeating or rehearsing S-R bonds is more likely to strengthen them.
reinforcement is necessary
what’s the law of effect?
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
what’s the law of readiness?
the performer must be physically and mentally ready to complete the task ahead.
what’s associationist?
group of theories linked to connecting stimulus and response.
an individual is conditioned by a stimuli which is connected to appropriate results.
what’s the cognitive theory of learning?
encourages thinking and problem solving and gain understanding and ability rather than trial and error in a more fixed environment.
what’s insight learning?
using problem solving and memory of effective experiences to solve a new challenge.
what’s interviewing variables?
the mental process involved in decision making
what’s the Gestaltist theory?
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.
advantages of the gestaltist theory
performer becomes more independent and self-correct
adapt better to different situations
could make quicker progress
develop kinaesthesis
disadvantages of the gestaltist theory
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.
what’s the social learning theory?
it’s based on watching and copying behaviour and social interactions from significant others.
what’s are the things that make us more likely to copy behaviour?
- people of importance to us/ role models
- similar age/ gender/ sport/ culture
- if the demonstration is accurate and successful
- friendly and attractive model
- if the observer is focused on relevant cues and can remember what they’ve seen
- if the models behaviour is rewarded
- clear/ repeated demonstration
- motivated observer
what are the 4 processes involved in the SLT?
- attention
- retention
- motor reproduction
- motivation
explain the process of attention in the SLT
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.
explain the process of retention in the SLT
you have to remember it.
create a mental image
mental rehearsal techniques might help
explain the process of motor reproduction in the SLT
you need to be physically able to imitate the skill being observed
explain the process of motivation in the SLT
high motivation is needed, external reinforcements can be used to increase motivation
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.
- Connectionist / S- R bond
The badminton player learns to connect the stimulus of the high shuttle cock to the response of performing a smash. - Manipulation of environment
Coach could draw a large chalk circle on the floor to aim smashes into - Shaping
Coach praises that the player used the correct smash action even though he hit the net - Trial and error
The badminton player learns through trial and error / experimenting with different ways of smashing the shuttlecock - Negative Reinforcement
The teacher will stop telling / shouting at them to move into the correct position when the smash is performed well - 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 - 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
