THEORIES OF LEARNING

Question 1

What is OPERANT CONDITIONING an example of?

Answer 1

An associationist or connectionist view of learning.

Question 2

What does ASSOCIATIONIST mean?

Answer 2

A group of theories related to connecting stimulus and response.
These theories are often referred to as S-R theories.
An individual is conditioned by stimuli which are “connected” or “bonded” to appropriate responses.

Question 3

What does OPERANT CONDITIONING involve?

Answer 3

Operant conditioning (Skinner) involves shaping the environment to manipulate behaviour and receiving rewards or reinforcement for those actions.

Question 4

How is OPERANT CONDITIONING learnt by?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What is a sporting example of OPERANT CONDITIONING?

Answer 5

e.g. a golfer who hits a tee shot left will adjust their next tee shot to improve the outcome.

Question 6

When is OPERANT CONDITIONING commonly used?

Answer 6

Operant conditioning is commonly used in teaching motor skills and works on the principle that actions are made stronger by repetition.

Question 7

What occurs if positive reinforcement of successful behaviours occurs?

Answer 7

It will strengthen the S-R bonds.

Question 8

How can S-R bonding be promoted?

Answer 8

By using the right approach in training.

Question 9

How do we learn OPERANT CONDITIONING via the associationist approach?

Include a sporting example.

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What are the 4 strategies used to strengthen the S-R bonds?

Answer 10

1) Use positive reinforcement - Praise after the correct response
2) Allow early success – At first easy targets will ensure success. Initial success develops confidence in the performer.
3) Use mental rehearsal - Going over the performance in the mind helps to develop an automatic response to the stimulus.
4) 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.

Question 11

How can incorrect actions be weakened and eliminated?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What are thorndike’s 3 laws?

Answer 12

Law of Exercise
Law of Effect
Law of Readiness

Question 13

What is the Law of Exercise?

Answer 13

Law of exercise – replaying or rehearsing the S-R connections is more likely to achieve the desired response.

Question 14

What is the Law of Effect?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What is the Law of Readiness?

Answer 15

Law of Readiness -The performer must be physically and mentally ready to complete a task.

Question 16

What does COGNITIVE learning theory suggest?

Answer 16

This theory suggests that a performer learns by thinking about and understanding what is required of them rather than connecting stimuli and responses (Insight learning)

Question 17

What is an example of COGNITIVE learning?

Answer 17

i.e. A basketball player who has the zone defence explained to them will understand when it is necessary to play this tactic in a game.

Question 18

How is the learner involved in COGNITIVE learning?

Answer 18

The learner is involved in the process by absorbing information form various sources to understand the ‘whole picture’

Question 19

What are the 4 parts of the COGNITIVE learning theory?

Answer 19

Whole approach
Problem solving
Experience/ insight
Understanding

Question 20

What practise does the COGNITIVE theory support?

Answer 20

Whole practice teaching rather than progressive part

Playing the game and learning along the way is seen as more effective than simply learning the skills in isolation.

Question 21

What is Banduras theory?

Answer 21

Social/Observational learning

Question 22

What is Social/Observational learning?

Answer 22

Behaviour is more likely to be repeated if it is reinforced with success, particularly if it is a
powerful image performed by a significant other/role model.

Question 23

Bandura’s observational model explains how new skills are learnt through four processes.
What are the four?

Answer 23

Attention
Retention
Motor Reproduction
Motivation

Question 24

Apply ATTENTION in Social/Observational.

Answer 24

The learner must be attracted to the demonstration. Cues should be used to highlight key points.

Question 25

Apply RETENTION in Social/Observational.

Answer 25

Once the performer has accepted a new skill, the coach must make sure that it is stored. The information should be broken down into small ‘chunks’ so that it can be processed by the short-term memory.

Question 26

Apply MOTOR REPRODUCTION in Social/Observational.

Answer 26

The coach should make sure that the player has the necessary coordination and power in the arms and shoulders to make the pass.

Question 27

Apply MOTIVATION in Social/Observational.

Answer 27

The learner is more likely to continue to practise if they are motivated. The coach can motivate players by offering positive reinforcement in the form of feedback or rewards.

Question 28

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 28

The stimulus is given when the desired response occurs

Question 29

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 29

The stimulus is withdrawn when the desired response occurs.

Question 30

What is punishment?

Answer 30

Giving a stimulus to prevent a response occurring. Not to be confused with negative reinforcement.

Question 31

What are intervening variables?

Answer 31

Mental processes occurring between the stimulus being received and the response. For example taking into account the independent variable of the opponents movement during a competitive badminton game.

Question 32

What is Social learning?

Answer 32

A perspective on personality theory that suggests personality and associated behaviour are determined by the situation or social environment rather than a series of traits or biological pre determinants. This theory shows that our personalities are created through a process of observing others and imitating their behaviour especially if social reinforcement is present .

Question 33

What is a practical example of applying the law of exercise?

Answer 33

If a gymnast practises a floor routine repeatedly, then the stimulus response bonds are repeated or exercised. The more times a skill is practiced the more likely response will be bonded to a particular stimulus.

Question 34

What is a practical example of applying the law of exercise?

Answer 34

If a beginner rugby player is attempting a spin pass and is successful, then the effect is deemed to be successful and it is more likely that the player will perform the skill successfully again. If the player is unsuccessful and the effectis a failure- the ball does not go in the right direction - then the effect is one that is subsequently avoided.

Question 35

What is a practical example of applying the law of readiness?

Answer 35

A hockey player who has been drilled to perform a particular penalty flick may become predictable and demotivated by inhibition. Practice should be stopped for a while - perhaps new strategies should be discussed and practised later. New targets should be set and the practise resumed.

Question 36

What is Cueing?

Answer 36

Identifying important cues or stimuli - for example, watching the arm of your opponent when receiving a serve in tennis.