4.4 Learning theories

Question 1

What are the four learning theories?

Answer 1

• operant conditioning theory
• social learning theory
• cognitive learning theory
  -thorndikes laws learning theory

Question 2

What are the four parts of operant conditioning

Answer 2

1. trial and error learning
2. correct response is rewarded
3. Reinforcement of correct response
4. behaviour is shaped

Question 3

Explain trial and error part of operant conditioning?

Answer 3

• coach gives demo of skill to learner
• learner attempts skill many times, making errors then completes skill correctly

Question 4

Explain the correct response rewarded part of operant conditioning?

Answer 4

• coach trying to get learner to associate certain response to a certain stimulus - known as stimulus response bond)
• stimulus is the situation presented to performer, the response is how they respond to stimulus
• more skill is practised stronger the SR bond

Question 5

Explain reinforcement stage of operant conditioning?

Answer 5

• reinforcement used to shape certain behaviours, makes more likely for behaviour to be repeated
• correct response should be rewarded (positive reinforcement - addition of a positive stimulus (praise))
• negative reinforcement is the removal of negative stimulus (critisism) when correct response is performed
• punishment is the addition of a negative stimulus when an incorrect reponse is performed

Question 6

Explain the shaping behavioru part of operant conditioning?

Answer 6

• through reinforcement, coach is shaping learners behaviour by praising correct response, performer learns they should do the same response, SR bond strengthens

Question 7

Give a sporting example of operat conditioning

Answer 7

during football shooting practise coach may direct players to strike the ball into right (goal)

-if they do this -> rewarded

-area is then reduced to top right of goal

-rewarding this behaviour strengthens the link

Question 8

What is thorndikes law based on S-R bonds

Answer 8

-law of exercise: rehearsing/ repeating actions stregthens reinforcement

-law of effect: if followed by a plesant reaction, then S-R bond is strengthened- if reaction is negative S-R bond is weakened

-law of readiness: athlete must be both mentally and physically capable of performing the skill efficiently

Question 9

Give a sporting example of thorndikes law

Answer 9

HOCKEY

-exe3rcise: repeated dribbling practise -> strengthens SR bond

effect: positive comments about dribbling technqiue strengthens SR bond, negative comments weaken SR bond

readiness: if performer is injured they may not be able to dribble effectively

Question 10

What is operant conditioning an example of

Answer 10

-associationist/ connectionist view of learning

Question 11

What is an associationist

Answer 11

-group of theories related to connecting stimulus & response

-these theories are often referred to as S-R theories

-individual is conditioned by stimuli which are ‘connected’/ ‘bonded’ to appropriate responses

Question 12

Explain what Skinner revealed about operant conditioining in 1964

Answer 12

-conditioning -> more effective through manipulation of behaviour

Question 13

Explain the experiment Skinner carried out using a rat

Answer 13

-used box with rat in it

-if rat hit lever, food would come out

-through trial and error rat learned that hitting lever would produce food

-became known as operant conditioining/ trial and error learning

Question 14

What did Skinner conclude about the rat hitting the lever

Answer 14

-hitting lever gave food, a reward which reinforced the hitting action

-OC- concerned with actions being shaped and reinforced

Question 15

What is complete reinforcement

Answer 15

the idea that learning is faster if a reward is given on every occasion

Question 16

What is reinforcement

Answer 16

process that increases the probability of a behaviour occurring

-strengthens stimulus response (S-R) bond

-can be positive/ negative

Question 17

What is positive reinforcement

Answer 17

stimulus is given when desired response occurs

Question 18

What is negative reinforcement

Answer 18

stimulus is withdrawn when desired response occurs

Question 19

What is partial reinforcement

Answer 19

if reward is given after a number of correct response

-learning takes longer but lasts longer

Question 20

How are Thorndike’s laws linked to operant conditioining

Answer 20

how we fully develop a stimulus response bond depends on extent Thorndike’s laws are applied

Question 21

What is Thorndike’s law of exercise

Answer 21

rehearsing/ repeating actions strengthens reinforcement

Question 22

What is Thorndike’s law of effect

Answer 22

if followed by a pleasant reaction, then S-R bond is strengthened- if reaction is negative S-R bond is weakened

Question 23

What is Thorndike’s law of readiness

Answer 23

athlete must be both mentally and physically capable of performing the skill efficiently

Question 24

What are cognitive theories

Answer 24

concerned with thinking and understanding, not connecting stimuli with response

-known as insight learning

Question 25

What is insight learning

Answer 25

problem-solving involving memory

-previous experiences are used to help solve new problems

Question 26

Give a practical example of the cognitive theory

Answer 26

football player who recognises pitch is slippery adapts play accordingly

Question 27

Name the 4 main points of the cognitive learning theory

Answer 27

-learning is best achieved by learning the whole skill

-learner must understand & think about the problems as a whole

-thought processes are dependent upon perception

-learner uses intelligence, current knowledge, previous experience to plan/ predict solution

Question 28

Give a practical example of the cognitive learning theory

Answer 28

-basketball player- told about zone defence- understands when its necessary to play this tactic

Question 29

What is the observational learning/ social learning theory

Answer 29

personality theory

-humans like being accepeted and part of a group, so we observe & copy behaviour -> helps us be part of group & be more socially acceptable

Question 30

How is observational learning used in sport

Answer 30

copy skills performed by others as we are motivated to achieve success -> drive to be accepted by others

-coach/ teacher is role model- they are copied

Question 31

Give the 5 main points of observational learning

Answer 31

-behaviour will be copied if role model is a significant other and of high status

-role models are copied if they are same gender as learner

-form of visual guidance

-demonstration is presented for the learner to copy

-process involves attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation

Question 32

Explain the 4 processes of observational learning according to Bandura

Answer 32

-attention- to be able to imitate demonstration, performer must pay attention to demonstration & focus on important cues (cueing)

-retention- observer must remember model presented- needs to create mental pic of process

-motor reproduction- observer must be physically able to imitate skill being observed- demos matched to capability of observer

-motivation- level of motivation of observer- crucial when imitating performance

Question 33

What is cueing

Answer 33

identifying important cues/ stimuli

Question 34

What is the associative stage of learning

Answer 34

-practice stage

-learner attends to relevant cues

-errors fewer, smaller

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