What is the stimulus-response (S-R) bond?

The S-R bond is the link between a stimulus in the environment and the performer's response to it. Operant conditioning aims to strengthen the bond for correct responses.

How does trial and error learning work in operant conditioning?

The learner tries different responses until one succeeds. The successful response is reinforced, so it is more likely to be repeated.

How is the environment manipulated in operant conditioning?

The coach sets up the practice so that the desired response is more likely. A hockey coach might place a target in the corner of the goal to shape accurate shooting.

What is positive reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement is the giving of a pleasant stimulus after a correct response. Praise from a coach after a good pass strengthens the S-R bond.

OCR A-Level Physical Education H555

Skeletal and Muscular Systems

Topic overview Shoulder, elbow and wrist joints and muscles Hip, knee and ankle joints and muscles Planes of movement, muscle roles and contractions Analysing movement in sporting actions Motor units and muscle fibre types

The Cardiovascular System

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The Respiratory System

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Energy for Exercise

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Training and Lifestyle Diseases

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Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

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Biomechanical Principles and Levers

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Theories and Stages of Learning

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Guidance and Feedback

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Attribution

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Sport in Pre-Industrial and Industrial Britain

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Modern Technology in Sport

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Theories and Stages of Learning

Operant conditioning

3 things to know
Component 02

Overview

Skinner and the stimulus-response bond, trial and error, manipulating the environment, positive and negative reinforcement, punishment, shaping, and Thorndike's laws of effect, exercise and readiness.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Evaluation

Evaluate operant conditioning as a way of teaching motor skills.

Key term

What is operant conditioning?

Key term

Which psychologist developed operant conditioning, and how did he show it?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is operant conditioning?
Model answer
Operant conditioning is learning in which behaviour is shaped by its consequences. Reinforcement strengthens the link between a stimulus and a correct response.
2
Which psychologist developed operant conditioning, and how did he show it?
Model answer
The psychologist Skinner developed operant conditioning. Skinner found that rats learned to press a lever when each press was rewarded with food.
3
What is the stimulus-response (S-R) bond?
Model answer
The S-R bond is the link between a stimulus in the environment and the performer's response to it. Operant conditioning aims to strengthen the bond for correct responses.
4
How does trial and error learning work in operant conditioning?
Model answer
The learner tries different responses until one succeeds. The successful response is reinforced, so it is more likely to be repeated.
5
How is the environment manipulated in operant conditioning?
Model answer
The coach sets up the practice so that the desired response is more likely. A hockey coach might place a target in the corner of the goal to shape accurate shooting.
6
What is positive reinforcement?
Model answer
Positive reinforcement is the giving of a pleasant stimulus after a correct response. Praise from a coach after a good pass strengthens the S-R bond.

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