1. Quick Quiz Describe operant conditioning
Describe the cognitive theory of learning
Describe the social learning theory
Describe Thorndike’s laws

2. Psychological factors affecting performance5
Psychological factors affecting performance
Skill acquisition
Stages of Learning

3. Learning Objectives Learning Objective:
Understand the stages of learning
Learning Outcomes:
All: Describe the stages of learning
Most: Explain the characteristics of the stages of learning
Some: Justify placement in the stages of learning using sporting examples

4. Key Terms
Cognitive stage
Associative stage
Autonomous stage

5. Types of skill There are a number of different types of skills:
Cognitive - or intellectual skills that require thought processes
Perceptual - interpretation of presented information
Motor - movement and muscle control
Perceptual motor - involve the thought, interpretation and movement skills

6. The Learning Phases - Fitts & Posner
Fitts and Posner (1967) suggested that the learning process is sequential and that we move through specific phases as we learn. There are three stages to learning a new skill:
Cognitive phase - Identification and development of the component parts of the skill - involves formation of a mental picture of the skill
Associative phase - Linking the component parts into a smooth action - involves practicing the skill and using feedback to perfect the skill
Autonomous phase - Developing the learned skill so that it becomes automatic - involves little or no conscious thought or attention whilst performing the skill - not all performers reach this stage
The leaning of physical skills requires the relevant movements to be assembled, component by component, using feedback to shape and polish them into a smooth action. Rehearsal of the skill must be done regularly and correctly.

7.
Watch the videos and take notes on the stages of learning

8. Cognitive stage of learning
Cognitive or Understanding Phase
In this stage of learning, performances are inconsistent and not success is not guaranteed. Performing the skill requires all of the athletes attention and so they rely on the coach for cues. This is a process of trial and error with a success rate of 2 or 3 out of 10 attempts. Correct performances must be reinforced through external feedback.

9. Associative stage of learning
Associative or Verbal Motor Phase
Also known as the "practise phase". Performances are becoming more consistent as motor programmes are being formed. While the simpler parts of the skill now look fluent and are well learned, the more complex elements requires most of the spare attention. The athlete is starting to get a sense of internal 'kinaesthetic' feedback when they perform the skill well. They are starting to detect and correct their own errors and success rate has risen to 5-7 out of 10.

10. Autonomous stage of learning
Autonomous or Motor Phase
In the final stage of learning, performances have become consistent, fluid and aesthetically pleasing. The motor programmes involved are well learned and stored in the long-term memory. There is now spare attention which can be focused on opponents and tactics. To retain the new skill at this level, it must be constantly practiced to reinforce the motor programmes. Success is now 9 out of 10.

11. Schmidt's Schema Theory
Schmidt's theory (Schmidt 1975) was based on the view that actions are not stored rather we refer to abstract relationships or rules about movement. Schmidt's schema is based on the theory that that every time a movement is conducted four pieces of information are gathered:
the initial conditions - starting point
certain aspects of the motor action - how fast, how high
the results of the action - success or failure
the sensory consequences of the action - how it felt
Relationships between these items of information are used to construct a recall schema and a recognition schema. The Recall schema is based on initial conditions and the results and is used to generate a motor program to address a new goal. The recognition schema is based on sensory actions and the outcome.

12. Adam's Closed Loop Theory
Adam's theory (Adams 1971) has two elements:
Perceptual trace - a reference model acquired through practice
Memory trace - responsible for initiating the movement
The key feature of this theory is the role of feedback.
Analyse the reference model actions, the result of those actions and the desired goals
Refine the reference model to produce the required actions to achieve the desired goals

13. Bandura's Social Learning Theory
There are three core concepts of social learning theory
people can learn through observation
mental states are an essential part of this process
it will not necessarily result in a change of behaviour
In Bandura et al. (1961) studies children observed an adult acting aggressively toward a doll. When the children were later allowed to play with the doll, they began to imitate the aggressive actions they had previously observed.
Bandura identified three basic models of observational learning:
A live model, which involves an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behaviour
A verbal instructional model, which involves descriptions and explanations of a behaviour
A symbolic model, which involves real or fictional characters displaying behaviours in books, films, television programs, or online media

14. Exam Questions May 2016 qu 2a (3) May 2016 qu 2c (5) May 2016 qu2d (5)
May 2016 qu 2c (5)
May 2016 qu2d (5)
    
Jan 2013 qu 2c (6)   
May 2012 qu 2b (4)
May 2012 qu 2e (10)
Fitts and Posner identified three phases of learning movement skills. Using practical examples, describe a characteristic of each of the three phases of learning movement skills.
Explain schema theory when developing movement skills.
Positive behaviours associated with a balanced, healthy lifestyle can be learned by observing others and modelling or copying their behaviour. Explain the factors that affect the modelling or copying of healthy lifestyle behaviour.
   
Describe the characteristics of each of the three named phases of learning movement skills.
 Describe the four sources of information according to schema theory: initial conditions, response specifications, sensory consequences, response outcomes.
Describe Bandura’s model of observational learning. Discuss the factors that affect successful modelling when learning balanced, active and healthy lifestyle behaviour.