Learning Theories | Edexcel A-Level Physical Education (9PE0)
Learning Theories
- 55 questions
- 4 subtopics
- Component 2: psychological and social principles of physical education
- Component 2
Learning Theories is examined in Component 2, Psychological and social principles of physical education.
It covers classical and operant conditioning, reinforcement, punishment and the S-R bond, Thorndike's laws of learning and Fitts and Posner's stages of learning.
Sample questions from Learning Theories
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Classical and operant conditioning
How can classical conditioning help a performer control nerves?
Show the answer
A performer can link a cue word or a deep breath with feeling calm through repeated pairing in training. The cue then triggers relaxation before a penalty or a serve. -
Classical and operant conditioning
What is shaping in operant conditioning?
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Shaping is reinforcing responses that come gradually closer to the desired skill. A coach praises a beginner's rough attempts at first, then only the better ones. -
Reinforcement, punishment and the S-R bond
Define punishment in the context of learning.
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Punishment gives an unpleasant consequence after an incorrect response to stop it being repeated. A player dropped, fined or sent to the sin bin is being punished. -
Reinforcement, punishment and the S-R bond
When might punishment be justified in coaching?
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Punishment can quickly stop dangerous or deliberately foul play, such as a high tackle. Punishment works best when it is consistent and fair and paired with guidance on the correct response. -
Thorndike's laws of learning
How does the law of effect explain why punishment can reduce an error?
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An unpleasant outcome after an error weakens the bond between the situation and that response. A player benched for a reckless tackle is less likely to repeat it. -
Thorndike's laws of learning
How does a coach apply the law of readiness?
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A coach waits until a young gymnast has enough core strength before teaching a handspring. Mini versions of games, such as tag rugby, match the demands to young players' readiness. -
Fitts and Posner's stages of learning
Describe a learner in the associative stage.
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The learner practises and the motor programme begins to form. Movements become smoother, with fewer and smaller errors. -
Fitts and Posner's stages of learning
Why must an autonomous performer keep practising?
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Without practice, a performer can slip back to the associative stage and faults may creep in. Regular practice maintains the motor programme.
The 4 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Classical and operant conditioning | Associative theories, Pavlov's classical conditioning and its stimuli, controlling nerves and the coach's whistle, Skinner's operant conditioning, shaping, the difference between the two, and the dangers of trial and error. | 13 |
| Reinforcement, punishment and the S-R bond | Reinforcement and the S-R bond, positive and negative reinforcement, punishment and how it differs, timing, the novice, when punishment is justified, reducing reinforcement, the golf swing fault and a bond that fades. | 13 |
| Thorndike's laws of learning | Thorndike and his puzzle-box cats, the laws of effect, exercise and readiness and how a coach applies each, practice making permanent, teaching before a learner is ready, the basketball free throw and an evaluation of the laws. | 13 |
| Fitts and Posner's stages of learning | The cognitive, associative and autonomous stages, trial and error, dependence on the coach, kinaesthesis, coaching at each stage, feedback across the stages, novice and autonomous tennis servers, and the stages as a continuum. | 16 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
Edexcel A-Level Physical Education Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 2,108 questions with their answers.