Learning Theories

Learning Theories

1. Operant Condition

   • response is formed = trial and error
     • Bad technique may develope
   • -Learning relies on a strong bond between the S-R (stimuli and response) - Person becomes conditioned to respond to the stimuli
     • -Too many S-R bonds to remember which is unlikely
   • Connection is formed by reinforcement
     • -if negative reinforcement used on beginners = demotivation
   • -No understanding made = learner. Only a bond is created. -Cannot respond to a slight change in stimuli

2. Cognitive (-rejects responding to a stimuli without any thoughts )

   • 1) Adams closed loop theory
     • Memory trace - of motor program stored in LTM. developed = experience
     • Perceptual trace - uses feedback to refine movement & get rid of errors
     • Movement is initated by a memory trace which is controlled by perceptual trace If there's a missmatch between what you're supposed to be doing (info taken from memory trace) to what you're actually doing (oerceptual trace) then performer eliminated the error by changing movement
     • learning is the process of eliminating errors
   • Schema Theory
     • Schema -set of relationship between joint action & muscles contraction= can be adapted to produec a new skill
     • Criticises Adams loop theory & operant condition
       • Memory trace/schemas for every movement = overload = too much
         • every movement we make is different due to a slight change in envrionment
       • the two theories before don't explain how performer manages slighty change stimuli
     • Recognition schema - information allowing performer to evaluate information
     • 2 FORMS OF SCHEMA
       • 1) RECALL SCHEMA (Before the acitvity)
         • Initial conditioning
           • knowledge of environment body position & limb position
         • Response sepcific
           • you know the objective of movement/motor program
       • 2) Recognition schema (During or after activity )
         • Sensory consequences
           • Kinaesthetic feedback as we undertake a movement
         • Response outcome
           • result of movement compared to out come
   • Insight
     • performer gets a better insight of performance hence theres a (sudden) leap of understanding = rapid improvement in performance
       • occurs when performer is able to combine internal and external information

3. Social learning theories

   • learn by copying others because you want to be socially accpeted
   • Observational learning
     • demonstration used as we want learner to copy model but for this to happen things should be considered
       • attribution and characteristics = model
       • Physical & psychological readiness of leaner
       • Motivation of the learner