Learning Theory and Skill Acquistition

Question 1

what is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

learning involving involuntary, reflexive responses

Question 2

what theorist tested this concept?

Answer 2

Pavlov and his dogs

Question 3

what 3 laws did thorndike suggest?

Answer 3

law of exercise- practice regularly in favourable conditions
law of effect- repetition occurs following satisfaction
law of readiness- being physically and mentally capable of the task

Question 4

what is operant conditioning?

Answer 4

the strategic presentation of reinforcement and punishment, to increase the chance of getting desired voluntary behaviours whilst decreasing undesired e.g. skinner

Question 5

how is information processing defined?

Answer 5

input-output

1. stimulus- a problem is presented
2. response selection: A decision is made
3. movement programming stage: a movement program is initiated

Question 6

what is our reaction time?

Answer 6

the period of time when the stimulus is presented and movement response starts

Question 7

what is our movement time?

Answer 7

the time when the movement starts and is completed

Question 8

what is response time?

Answer 8

reaction time+ movement time

Question 9

what is hicks law?

Answer 9

increased stimulus, increased response time

Question 10

what is the short-term memory?

Answer 10

repetition is required to avoid loss of information
rapid information loss can occur within 20 seconds
why practice is important
revisiting is essential to ensure detainment
why participants need to try the skill soon after demos

Question 11

what is meant by attention?

Answer 11

with multiple stimuli we must decide what to attend to and when
training can increase this
Psychological refractory period

Question 12

what are the characteristics of abilities ?

Answer 12

inherited
stable and enduring
number perhaps 50
underlies many skills

Question 13

what are the characteristics of skills?

Answer 13

developed with practice
modifiable
countless in number
depends on abilities

Question 14

how can we measure learning?

Answer 14

learning= more capable 
performance curve (average performance) 
variability is masked 
temporary effects can be mistaken as permanent

Question 15

what is meant by long-term?

Answer 15

contains well learned information from STM
continuous recalled perfectly
discrete not so easily

Question 16

what fitts and posner suggest?

Answer 16

stages of learning
cognitive
associative
autonomous