Theories Of Learning

Question 1

What are the theories of learning?

Answer 1

Operant conditioning
Observational learning
Insight learning
Social development

Question 2

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 2

The use of reinforcement to ensure that correct responses are repeated.

Question 3

How does learning occur in operant conditioning?

Answer 3

By making and strengthening the link/association between a stimulus and a response.
This is known as an S-R bond.

Question 4

What are the main principles of operant conditioning?

Answer 4

It’s based on trial and error learning (try various methods of serving in tennis).

The coach might manipulating the environment (placing cones in the service box as a target for the performer to hit).

About shaping behaviour by using reinforcement (

Want to strengthen/create S-R bond using reinforcement.

Question 5

How may a coach shape the environment? (OC)

Answer 5

Offer a satisfier (e.g. positive reinforcement) when the correct response is shown so the response will be repeated.

Offer an annoyed (e.g. punishment) when an incorrect response is shown so that the response will not be repeated.

Question 6

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 6

A pleasant stimulus after the correct response.

E.g. praise

Question 7

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 7

Taking away an unpleasant stimulus after the correct response

E.g. not giving criticism, so a coach may say nothing

Question 8

What is punishment?

Answer 8

An unpleasant stimulus to prevent incorrect actions recurring.

E.g. extra training, substitution, bans and fines.

Question 9

How do people fully benefit from O.C?

Answer 9

Need to provide skills in varying environments, and make skills/practices fun and enjoyable.

Question 10

What is observational learning?

Answer 10

It suggests that both acceptable and unacceptable behaviour can be learned by watching and then copying other people.

Question 11

Who researched observational learning?

Answer 11

Albert Bandura in 1977

Question 12

What’s an example of observational learning?

Answer 12

Young football players may often be seen copying the goal celebrations of their professional counterparts.

Question 13

How can a coach use observational learning to their advantage?

Answer 13

A coach can use this ability to copy behaviour to their advantage by using strategies to ensure that the demonstrations and role models used to show skills during practice are successfully copied by the players.

Question 14

What did Bandura suggest that would make a performer more likely to copy a model?

Answer 14

Attention
Retention
Motor production
Motivation

Question 15

What is attention?

Answer 15

Making the demonstration attractive to the performer.

Coach ensures performer concentrates on model
Coach points out key cues in demonstration
Model should be accurate

Question 16

What is retention?

Answer 16

Remembering the demonstration and being able to recall it.

Demonstration should be repeated
A clear mental image should be created through visualisation or mental rehearsal.

Question 17

What is motor production?

Answer 17

Having the mental and physical ability to do the task.

Being able to copy the model demonstration

Question 18

What is motivation?

Answer 18

Having the drive to do the task

Coach could generate this by offering praise or rewards

Question 19

Why is attention important?

Answer 19

The more attractive the ‘demo’ is to the player, the more likely it is to be copied.

Question 20

How do you use attention?

Answer 20

Grab the attention of the learner by selling your demonstration. Point out its function or the reason you’re asking them to learn it - hopefully to gain an advantage during play.

Question 21

How do you make a model stand out (attention)?

Answer 21

Making it loud, bright or attractive and therefore memorable.
Making sure the information is loud and clear.
Making sure the demo is accurate and always correct.

Question 22

What’s an example of attention?

Answer 22

Tell a tennis player that the reason you’re demonstrating a sliced serve is to drag the opponent off court to open up the court for a winning shot.

Question 23

How do you ensure retention?

Answer 23

Making it memorable -
Breaking any information given into chunks and by repeating it.
Accurate and clear
Use a role model or an expert player in the group to ensure an accurate demonstration.
The learner should attempt the skill as soon as it has been seen.

Question 24

What’s an example of motor production?

Answer 24

Giving a task that is set at the same level of ability as the performer and making sure that the task can be understood.

Question 25

How is motor production used?

Answer 25

In the early stages of practice, success should be ensured by setting easy tasks and then making progress as the task becomes more complex.
The player should be given time to practice and learn well before moving on to the next part of the task.

Question 26

How is motivation used?

Answer 26

Motivate the learner by giving praise and rewards or offering positive feedback and positive reinforcement.

Question 27

Model demonstrations and behaviours are more likely to be copied if:

Answer 27

Significant others
Models have similar characteristics
Actions that are successful
Actions that are reinforced

They are close to appropriate social norms (similar ability)
They are reinforced
They are powerful, visually and physically
They are consistent
They are relevant