Principles and theories of learning movement skills

Question 1

Who created the Operant Conditioning Theory

Answer 1

B.F. Skinner

Question 2

Who created the Cognitive Theory of Learning

Answer 2

Gestalt

Question 3

Who created the Social / Observational Theory?

Answer 3

Bandura

Question 4

What does the theory of operant conditioning involves?

Answer 4

Involves the correct response to a situation or task being rewarded. This reinforces the correct response. The link between the stimulus and the
response is called the connection or association.

Question 5

What is an example of Skinner’s theory? (Operant conditioning)

Answer 5

Situations such as football shooting practice. The coach may direct the players to strike the ball into the right of the goal. If this is done they are rewarded. The area is then reduced to the top half of the right side, and then maybe the top right hand corner only. Rewarding this behaviour appropriate to age/experience strengthens the link.

Question 6

What is the S-R bond?

Answer 6

Link a stimulus from the environment with a movement response.

Question 7

Example of an S-R bond?

Answer 7

A football GK jumping to catch a cross, if successful it becomes
connected with the stimulus and stored in the LTM.

Question 8

What is one aspect of the operant conditioning?

Answer 8

Positive Reinforcement - Rewarding the correct response with praise or a treat. This strengthens the stimulus - response bond (S-R Bond) making this response more likely to be repeated in the same situation in the future.

Question 9

What is another aspect of the operant conditioning?

Answer 9

Negative Reinforcement - Removal of unpleasant consequence from the coach when correct technique is shown e.g. coach will stop shouting at the performer. This will also strengthen the S-R Bond as performer will see when the correct action is performed.

Question 10

What is another aspect of the operant conditioning?

Answer 10

Punishment - This is used when the action performed is not
desirable e.g. a player may be sent off for a reckless tackle, they could miss a game, be fined or lose their role in a team. This weakens the S-R Bond meaning that this action is less likely to be repeated in the future.

Question 11

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 11

This process of shaping enables a person to learn very difficult skills in small steps.

Question 12

Advantage of operant conditioning

Answer 12

-good for novice players
-good for learning skills in sport
-there’s reinforcement/feedback

Question 13

Disadvantage of this operant conditioning theory

Answer 13

-It doesn’t always allow the person to understand how the skill is done in a real situation.
-doesn’t allow you to solve problems
-doesn’t allow performers to figure out techniques
-demotivation may occur

Question 14

What are 3 laws of thorndike’s operant conditioning theory?

Answer 14

-Law of Exercise
-Law of Effect
-Law of Readiness

Question 15

What is the law of exercise?

Answer 15

rehearsing (or exercising) the
stimulus-response (SR) connections helps strengthen them and reinforce the correct skill.

Question 16

What is the law of effect?

Answer 16

If the skill is followed by a pleasant reaction, then the SR bond is further strengthened. If the following reaction is negative, then the SR bond is weakened.

Question 17

What is the law of readiness?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is trial and error?

Answer 18

It involves
testing various methods of achieving a goal until you find one that works.

Question 19

What is an example of trial and error?

Answer 19

A sporting example is changing your grip in racket sports to hit cleaner shots, to be more consistent and accurate, and to win more points.

Question 20

What is cognitive theory?

Answer 20

The performer needs to understand the whole problem before performing the skill correctly. They base their
response on their previous experiences and the current situation.

Question 21

What is an example of cognitive theory?

Answer 21

High jumper performing the whole skill to enable them to decide the best technique for them e.g. which foot to take
off from.

Question 22

what can the cognitive theory of learning involve?

Answer 22

insight learning - which is problem solving that requires a lot of thought and past experiences which helps the performer learn from past mistakes

Question 23

Advantages of cognitive theory

Answer 23

-can make quick progress
-helps with future progress making
-develop better understanding

Question 24

Disadvantage of cognitive theory

Answer 24

-might find a tactic/skill difficult
-loose motivation
-might not have past experiences

Question 25

What is social or observational theory?

Answer 25

Involves attain or learning behaviour from others which is copied by using visual imagery.

Question 26

How can behaviour can be learnt or attained?

Answer 26

Behaviour is most likely to be copied if demonstrated and reinforced by a role model (significant other/high status)

Question 27

How can a performer or athlete benefit from copying or learning a behaviour from a role model?

Answer 27

To encourage a person to have a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle, it is essential that the model is positive; inspirational and a good example.

Question 28

What are Bandura's model?

Answer 28

-Attention -Retention -Motor production -Motivation

Question 29

What is Bandura's first model? (Attention)

Answer 29

Performer is more likely to perform the skill better if they can see a demonstration A coach must make sure it doesn't last too long otherwise performers may get bored or miss parts of the demonstration.

Question 30

What is Bandura's second model? (Retention)

Answer 30

Creating the mental picture of the skill required. Practising the skill in the mind over and over so that the correct movements are performed in the correct order. Use of mental rehearsal.

Question 31

What is Bandura's third model? (Motor production)

Answer 31

The physical movement to perform the skill. Learners must have the schematic development to be able to repeat the skill either first time or through a series of progressions.

Question 32

What is Bandura's fourth model? (Motivation)

Answer 32

The learner’s individual drive, need, want or desire to replicate the skilled action.