Learning Theory

Question 1

What are the four learning theory?

Answer 1

• Cognitive learning theory
• Social/ Observational Learning theories
• Thorndike’s Laws
• Operant Conditioning

Question 2

What is Operant conditioning?

Answer 2

• Associationist view of learning
• Related to stimulus-response relationships
• Skinner (1964)
• Performer develops a specific link with a certain cue. This is known as ‘stimulus-response bond’ S-R bond
• Response stored in long term memory
• Learning occurs through ‘trial and error’

Question 3

How is the link or bond between the stimulus and the response created?

Answer 3

• Create a link between stimulus and response by using a process of reinforcement
• When desired action is performed, we must reinforce the link between stimulus and response
• Reinforcement comes in 3 forms; positve reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment

Question 4

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 4

Involves use of a rewards to create feelings of satisfaction to encourage the repetition of the correct action

Question 5

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 5

Withdrawal of an unpleasant stimulus when desired response occurs

Question 6

What is punishment?

Answer 6

• Seeks to break the S-R bond because the wrong response is give to the stimulus
• Can be used to reduce linkihood of actions being repeated
• E.g. being dropped from the team, booked by a referee
• However, continual use of punishment may cause resentment
• Can have adverse effect, should be used carefully

Question 7

How to apply operant conditioning to sport?

Answer 7

• Verbal feedback/ praise given, e.g. “well done”
• Applause from the crowd after a good shot/ pass/ dribble etc
• Physical rewards, e.g. goal bonus, man of the match etc
• Every time a keeper lets a goal in in training, he has to do laps/ press-ups etc
• Gymnastics badges and swimming certificates for children etc

Question 8

What are some strengths of operant conditioning?

Answer 8

• Positive experience, learn from own mistakes through use of trial and error
• Highlights area of improvement in skill and can be corrected very quickly

Question 9

What are some weaknesses of operant condtioning?

Answer 9

• Demotivating
• Trial and error if not corrected will always be wrong

Question 10

What is Thorndike’s Laws?

Answer 10

• These laws are related to operant conditioning
• His theory was based on strengthening the S-R bond

Question 11

What is the three principles of Thorndike’s Laws

Answer 11

• Law of exercise - repeating the stimulus and response is more likely to strengthen the S-R bond. If the desired outcome occurs, this should be reinforced
• Law of effect - If the response is followed by a ‘satisfier’ the S-R bond will strengthen. If it is followed with an ‘annoyer’ the S-R bond is weakened
• Law of readiness - The performer must be physically and mentally prepared to complete the task

Question 12

What are some strengths of Thorndike’s Laws?

Answer 12

• Fully strengthened SR bond
• Positive experience increase motivation and confidence in ability

Question 13

What are some weaknesses of Thorndike’s Laws?

Answer 13

• Repetitive causing in decrease in motivation affecting other laws
• If one law is not satisfactory, learner will not learn skill effectively

Question 14

What is cognitive theory of leaning?

Answer 14

• Trial and error has no place
• Known as insight learning
• Problem solving whereby we use previous experiences to solve problems

Question 15

What does cognitive theories of learning suggest in sport context?

Answer 15

• Cognitivists believe we continually receive information from our surroundings
• This theory supports the Whole practive methods as oppose to Part practice
• They believe we will learn by playing the game rather than breaking skills down into parts

Question 16

What are some strengths of cognitive learning?

Answer 16

• Creates a learner who is versatile
• Gain confidence

Question 17

What are some weaknesses of cognitive learning?

Answer 17

• If not been in situation before may demotivate/ stress performer as cannot solve problems through experience
• Takes time as need to be exposed to situations and given time to problem solve

Question 18

What is social/ observational learning?

Answer 18

• Behaviours being developed by the environment and significant others, as oppose to biologically determined traits
• Significant others: Role models to us

Question 19

What is the experiment that supports social leaning theory?

Answer 19

The Bobo Doll Experiment (Bandura)

Question 20

Why do we copy significant others’ behaviours?

Answer 20

• Human beings like to be accepted by others
• We copy the skills performed by others because we are motivaed to achieve success and because of our drive to be accepted by others
• What we learn depends not only on what we see but also on the identity of the model
• Social learning is not just about imitating actions, it is about adopting moral judgments and patterns of social organisation

Question 21

What is Bandura’s ARMM?

Answer 21

• Learning through observation can only take place if the following steps are possible:
  1. Attention
  1. Retention
  1. Motor reproduction
  1. Motivation

Question 22

What is attention is Bandura’s ARMM?

Answer 22

• The performer must pay attention to the demonstation and focus on the cues (important info/ stimuli)
• The amount of attention paid will depend on
  1. Attention span
  1. Appearance of the demonstation
  1. The competence of the model

Question 23

What is retention is Bandura’s ARMM?

Answer 23

• The observer must be able to remember the model that is been performed
• You must create a mental picture in your mind that you can refer back to
• Mental rehearsal can be used to assist this

Question 24

What is motor reproduction is Bandura’s ARMM?

Answer 24

• The performer must be physically able to perform the observed skill
• Therefore, demonstations must match the skill of the performer
• Coach feedback is vital here

Question 25

What is motivation is Bandura's ARMM?

Answer 25

* The performer must be motivated to copy the observed skill * Coach should give positive feedback * Positive reinforcement used here

Question 26

What are some strengths of social learning theory?

Answer 26

* Motivating * Allows for mental image to be created

Question 27

What are some weaknesses of social learning theory?

Answer 27

* Demotivating if significant other is not of a similar ability * Significant other needs to be of a high status to avoid copying wrong behaviour