Skill Acquisition: Principles and Theories of Learning Movement Skills

Principles and Theories of Learning Movement Skills

Operant Conditioning

This is a theory of behavioural learning developed by B.F. Skinner.
It is based on the ‘law of effect’, which states that actions which lead to rewards are likely to be repeated.
Example: If a performer receives positive feedback after executing a skill, they’ll be more likely to repeat this skill successfully in future.

Cognitive Learning

Developed by Jean Piaget, it emphasises the role of mental processes in learning.
Perception, comprehension, and anticipation are seen as key factors in acquiring a new skill.
This learning is achieved by the learner solving problems and making sense of the environment.

Social Learning

According to Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, individuals learn by observing and imitating others.
The observer’s behaviour changes after viewing a model’s behaviour.
The focus here is more on the environment, as no actual performance is required for learning to occur.

Stages of Learning

Cognitive Stage: Also known as the beginner’s stage. The learner understands the task and what is required but makes numerous errors.
Associative Stage: The performer begins to associate cues from the environment with required movements. The skill becomes more consistent.
Autonomous Stage: The skill becomes automatic, allowing the performer to simultaneously focus on other aspects of their performance.

Principles of Learning

Practice: Skills become embedded into long-term memory through repeated and consistent practice.
Feedback: Information about the performance can help improve future performances. Feedback can be extrinsic (from outside sources) or intrinsic (from within the performer).
Distributed Practice: Short, frequent practices with rest intervals are more effective for learning complex skills.
Massed Practice: Continuous, intensive sessions are best for simple skills that are less cognitively demanding.

Observational Learning

This is a four-step process: Attention (observing the model), Retention (remembering what was observed), Motor Reproduction (replicating the action), and Motivation (incentive to perform the action).
Children, in particular, learn a lot from this method, as they often mimic adults and older children.

Understanding these principles and theories of learning can be integral to improving performance and coaching methods. Different learning styles are better suited to different individuals and situations, so a varied approach is recommended when teaching or acquiring new skills.