PEM 4

Module 5
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY IN SPORTS
Attention: we watch others behave in a certain way.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Retention: we commit what we have watched to memory.

Reproduction: we try out the behavior ourselves.

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:
Reinforcement: we consider the consequences of the
 Outline social learning theory as a basis for understanding behavior and decide whether or not to repeat it.
the relationship between sport and personality
development. *If we observe someone else’s behavior being rewarded, we
can add that behavior to our own repertoire. This is called
 Appreciate the range of social influences on the vicarious reinforcement.
development of sport-related behavior, including the
family and wider culture.
APPLYING SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY TO SPORT
 Discuss the relationship between gender and sport.

SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

The social learning approach to psychology (developed by
Albert Bandura in 1977) differs from trait and interactional
approaches in that it sees individual differences in behavior as
resulting from different learning experiences.

Two main ways learning behavior:

1. Operant conditioning
2. Modelling

OPERANT CONDITIONING

involves learning by reinforcement

Four Types: Fig.1 Children witnessing this

behavior may imitate it.
1. Positive reinforcement
2. Negative reinforcement • Attention: a child witnesses a very aggressive tackle
3. Neutral response while watching boxing on television.
4. Punishment
• Retention: the knowledge of aggressive tackle
Positive reinforcement: the behavior is rewarded. is retained in memory.

Negative reinforcement: removal of an aversive stimulus in • Reproduction: the next time the child perform in
response to the behavior. boxing, he copies the technique of aggressiveness.

Neutral response: no positive or negative consequences
result from the behavior.
Punishment: introduce an unpleasant consequence or
removing a pleasant one.
• Reinforcement: if the aggressive actions receives
negative reinforcement as by preventing a goal, or
positive reinforcement in the form of receiving praise,
it is likely to become part of the child’s regular
behavior.

MODELLING

involves learning new behaviors by watching and copying the

behavior of others.

Four Stages:

1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Reinforcement

1. PATTERNS OF SPORT-RELATED BEHAVIOR

NAME 1
Explain this in terms of the individual’s learning that aggression TOPIC
is the correct response to the sporting situation.

Athletes as role models SUBTOPIC

2. ACQUIRING LOVE OF SPORT SUBSUBSUB

● List 1
Children receive positive reinforcement from a very young age ○ List 2
if they show interest and talent in sport. ■ List 3
Have relayed reinforcement every time we see an athlete win
and enjoy the benefits of winning.

 It is important for Parents and coaches to remember VIDEO

that if they want young people to acquire a positive
attitude toward sport, they should provide them with
plenty of positive experiences of sport. SUBTOPIC 2

SOURCES OF INFLUENCE ON SOCIAL

DEVELOPMENT AND SPORT SUBSUBSUB

 The influence of the family

 The influence of wider culture PARAMETERS DESCRIPTION
 Gender and sport

NAME 2
NAME 3