2A - Sport Psychology

Question 1

Define a ‘skill’

Answer 1

A skill is an action that can be learnt. Once learnt, a skill is performed efficiently and consistently with a similar outcome every time.

Question 2

Define ‘ability’

Answer 2

Something you inherit/you are born with and is a relatively stable trait. This means it does not change much during a persons life.

Question 3

What are the 4 classifications of skills?

Answer 3

• Basic/complex
• Open/closed
• Self-paced/Externally paced
• Gross/Fine movement

Question 4

What is the difference between a basic and complex skill?

Answer 4

Basic:
- Simple activities, require less co-ordination and concentration, takes less time to learn. (catching/throwing)
Complex:
- Requires greater co-ordination and concentration.
- Performed by more experienced athletes. (Pole vault in gymnastics)

Question 5

What is the difference between a Open and Closed skill?

Answer 5

Open:
- Environment is always changing (football open play)
Closed:
- Environment does not change, skill is performed in the same way (darts)

Question 6

What is the difference between a Self-paced and Externally-paced skill?

Answer 6

Self-paced:
- The performer initiates the skill (decides when to start), controlling speed, rate or pace of skill. (Controlled table tennis serve)
Externally-paced:
- Skill is started by an external factor, speed, pace, time of skill execution decided by opponent. (Badminton general play)

Question 7

What is the difference between a Gross and fine movement skill?

Answer 7

Gross:
- Involves large muscle groups that combine to perform big, strong, powerful movements. (Triple jump phases)
Fine:
- Small precise movements requiring high level of accuracy and co-ordination.
- Use of smaller muscles. (Spin bowler)

Question 8

What are Physiological factors? Examples?

Answer 8

Factors that affect the body.

- Training, injury, illness, fatigue, diet, use of drugs.

Question 9

What are Psychological factors? Examples?

Answer 9

Factors that affect the mind.

- Anxiety, tension, motivation, aggression, tedium, arousal, personality.

Question 10

Why is it important for athletes/coaches to set goals?

Answer 10

• Gives athletes something to strive towards (motivation)

- Helps to focus athlete in training otherwise it would be unfocused and ineffective.

Question 11

What are performance goals? Can you give examples?

Answer 11

Personal standards to be achieved, compare yourself to past achievements and future aspirations but not to other performers. E.g. Running pb time 100m/scoring 20 goals in football season.

Question 12

What are outcome goals? Can you give examples?

Answer 12

Focus on the end result of competition, on winning or placing at the end of event/season. E.g. Winning gold medal in 100m/Top scorer of prem.

Question 13

What are SMART targets?

Answer 13

Specific - To demands of sport, energy systems/muscles used or skills to be developed.
Measurable - Must be able to measure target progress so it needs to be precise and not vague.
Accepted - By both athlete and coach, working towards common goal.
Realistic - Must be possible to complete so it doesn’t harm motivation if unrealistic.
Time-Bound - Covers a set period of time so performer knows when they should achieve it and can focus and effort in training at right time.

Question 14

Definition of motivation?

Answer 14

The drive or desire to succeed or achieve something. Can be split into two types: Intrinsic and Extrinsic.

Question 15

What is Intrinsic motivation?

Answer 15

Drive that comes from within. For example:

• Enjoyment
• Becoming better/ Personal bests

Question 16

What is Extrinsic motivation?

Answer 16

The drive to perform well or win for external rewards. E.g: To win medals, money or fame.

Question 17

Define ‘arousal’

Answer 17

A physical and mental state of alertness and readiness to perform. Varying from sleepy, lethargic levels to intense excitement or alertness.

Question 18

What is the ‘Inverted-U Theory’?

Answer 18

The optimal level of arousal is when you are in your best physical and mental state; therefore you have an increased likelihood to perform at your best ability.

Question 19

When is a higher and low arousal level needed?

Answer 19

Higher - Gross movements need higher levels of alertness for larger movements.
Lower - Fine movements need lower levels to remain calm and retain concentration

Question 20

What are the stress management techniques for arousal?

Answer 20

1. Deep breathing - Slow deep breaths to help breathing return to normal to reduce nerves and decrease in arousal.
2. Positive Self-Talk - a cognitive technique that helps re-frame thoughts - turning negatives into positives.
3. Mental Rehearsal/Imagery/visualisation - Performer sees themselves perform a skill or an outcome that is successful. Another cognitive technique.

Question 21

What is a cognitive technique?

Answer 21

Change a way a person thinks to change the way they behave.

Question 22

What are the two personality types? What suited sports?

Answer 22

Introverts - Quiter, shy, passive, risk assessors, suited to sports with high levels of concentration and precision, individual sports and lower arousal levels. E.g. Golf, Archery
Extroverts- More sociable, outgoing, talkative, active with high levels of enthusiasm. Suited to: Team sports -fast paced, gross movements. E.g. Football/Rugby.

Question 23

What are the two types of aggression?

Answer 23

Direct aggression - Aimed at other players or opponent, uses physical contact to directly or deliberately hurt opponent. E.g. Punch in boxing.
Indirect aggression - No physical harm, only ‘mental’ harm, intimidating opponent and decrease their confidence, taken out on object to gain advantage. E.g. All blacks hacker/spike in volleyball.

Question 24

Define ‘Guidance’

Answer 24

A method of conveying information to a performer, can be visual verbal, manual or mechanical.

Question 25

Define ‘Feedback’

Answer 25

The information a performer receives about their performance. Can be given during and/or after performance.

Question 26

What is visual guidance? Advantages/Disadvantages?

Answer 26

Presented in a form that performer can see e.g. a live demonstration, a video, film or a poster. Ad:
Useful for all levels of performers (esp young/inexperienced)
Disad: Performer must pay attention/image must be of good quality.

Question 27

What is Verbal guidance? Advantages/Disadvantages?

Answer 27

When a coach describes how to perform a skill. Ad: Useful for all levels of performer (esp young/inexperienced)
Disad: Can be boring, complex to explain.

Question 28

What is manual guidance? Advantages/Disadvantages?

Answer 28

Involves a coach physically moving a performer into the correct position. Ad: Good for beginners
Disad: May not feel they are performing skill themselves.

Question 29

What is mechanical guidance? Advantages/Disadvantages?

Answer 29

Object or aids are used to assist coaching process.
Ad: Good for dangerous sports, building confidence.
Disad: Expensive, performer may rely on aid.

Question 30

What is information processing?

Answer 30

the process by which a sports performer goes through when they make and act on decisions. 4 steps to model: Input, Decision making, Output, Feedback.

Question 31

What is the 1st stage of the information processing model?

Answer 31

1. Input - Received from senses (Touch, sight, sound, intuition). Performer then uses selective attention - selects relevant information from what’s been received.

Question 32

What is the 2nd stage of the information processing model?

Answer 32

2. Decision making - Performer makes appropriate choice or response from their memory (Short - retained for 30 secs - or long term - from months/years).

Question 33

What is the 3rd stage of the information processing model?

Answer 33

3. Output - Information already processed, sent to muscles in order to carry out the selected and desired response.

Question 34

What is the 4th stage of the information processing model?

Answer 34

4. Feedback - Data recieved in response to output, can be recieved from themselves (intrinsic). Kinaesthetic FB - receptors in muscles, generated by movements, felt by performer.
   Or recieved by others (extrinsic) e.g. coach/fans.

Question 35

What are the 6 types of feedback? Advantages/disadvantages?

Answer 35

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 - Telling performer what was good and correct about performance. Ad: Motivation. Disad: Makes performance seem better than it was.
𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 - What was bad/incorrect about performance. Ad: Help performers training focus. Disad: Demoralising
𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 - Received through end result. Ad: Gives quick measure of success. Disad: Demotivating if losing.
𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - How performer feels about their performance. Ad: Focus on aspects. Disad: Hard to break performance down.
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 - From themselves. Ad: Immediate adjustments can be made. Disad: Requires knowledge of sport.
𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 - From others. Ad: Coaches help performers improve. Disad: Hard to get advice for beginners without coach.