Learning theories

Question 1

What view of learning is Operant Conditioning?

Answer 1

Associationist view of learning

Question 2

Definition of associationist:

Answer 2

A group of theories related to connecting stimulus and response.

Question 3

Fill the Gaps

“An individual is conditioned by ____ which are ____ to appropriate _____”

Answer 3

Stimuli
Bonded
Responses

Question 4

Explain Skinners rats

Answer 4

• Skinner used a box with a rat inside.
• If the rat hit a lever inside the box a food pellet would be released.
• Eventually the rat learned this through trial and error.
• Hitting the lever gave food and therefore a reward.

Question 5

What is a simple definition of operant conditioning?

Answer 5

Operant conditioning is concerned with actions being shaped and then reinforced.
Conditioning of this type will only take place if REINFORCEMENT is present.

Question 6

What is Complete Reinforcement?

Answer 6

Learning is faster if a reward is given on every occasion.

Question 7

What is partial reinforcement?

Answer 7

If a reward is given after a number of correct responses, learning takes longer but lasts longer.

Question 8

What strengthens S-R bonds?

Answer 8

Reinforcement

Question 9

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 9

Stimulus is given when the desired response occurs.

Question 10

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 10

Stimulus is withdrawn when desired response occurs when desired response occurs.

Question 11

What is punishment?

Answer 11

Giving a stimulus to prevent a response occurring.

(Not to be confused with negative reinforcement)

Question 12

What is Thorndike’s law of exercise?

Answer 12

Repeating or rehearsing the S-R bonds is more likely to strengthen them.
The more times a skill is practised the more likely a response will be bonded to a particular stimulus.

Question 13

What is an example of of the law of exercise being applied?

Answer 13

If a gymnast practises a floor routine repeatedly, then the stimulus is more repeated or exercised.

Question 14

What is Thorndike’s law of effect

Answer 14

If the response is followed by a ‘satisfiser’ then the S-R bond is strengthened. If the response is followed by an ‘annoyer’ then the S-R bond is weakened.

Pleasent outcomes are likely to motivate performer to repeat the action.

Question 15

What is an example of the law of effect being applied?

Answer 15

If a beginner rugby player is attempting a spin pass and the result is successful, then the effect is deemed successful and it is more likely that the player will perform the skill successfully again.

Question 16

What is Thorndike’s law of readiness?

Answer 16

The performer must be physically and mentally able to complete the task effectively.

Question 17

What is an example of the law of readiness being applied?

Answer 17

A football player who has been drilled into taking the same kind of penalty may become predictable leading to a drop in motivation.

Question 18

What is social/observational learning theory based on?

Answer 18

Copying other peoples actions

Question 19

What are the 4 segments of social/observational learning theory?

Answer 19

Attention
Retention
Motor Production
Motivation

Question 20

Describe the ATTENTION segment of social/observational learning theory.

Answer 20

To be able to replicate a demonstration the performer must be PAYING ATTENTION to the demonstration and focus on important CUES.

Question 21

Describe the RETENTION segment of social/observational learning theory.

Answer 21

The observer must be able to REMEMBER the model that is presented. A MENTAL IMAGE of the skill should be created. Mental rehearsal can improve retention of the mental image.

E.g. A tennis coach repeating the follow through when serving demonstration.

Question 22

Describe the MOTOR PRODUCTION segment of social/observational learning theory.

Answer 22

The observer must be PHYSICALLY ABLE to replicate the skill being observed. Demonstrations should therefore MATCH THE CAPABILITIES of the observer. FEEDBACK during future practises will be important.

E.g. The coach showing a beginner rugby player a demonstration of a pop pass as it is an easy skill compared to other methods of passing such as a spin pass.

Question 23

Describe the MOTIVATION segment of social/observational learning theory.

Answer 23

The level of MOTIVATION of the observer is crucial if they are going to replicate the performance. EXTERNAL REINFORCEMENT of the model will INCREASE MOTIVATION to replicate.

E.g. A coach praising a gymnast when the vault is completed successfully.

Question 24

The cognitive theory is often knows as the gestaltist theory.
What are Gestaltists?

Answer 24

The word GESTALT means ‘whole’ or ‘entirety.

The GESTAlTISTS think that we percieve objects as a whole, rather than a collection of parts.

Question 25

What kind of practice does the cognitive theory support.

Answer 25

WHOLE PRACTICE - ‘playing the game, so that the participants understand what is required, is more effective than simply learning skills separately.

Question 26

What is cognitive theory?

Answer 26

Cognitive theorists believe that we take in information from our surroundings and we work out what is happening using our memories and our previous knowledge and general understanding.