6.1 Psychological influences on the individual (personality, attitude, arousal)

Question 1

define personality

Answer 1

unique psychological make-up

Question 2

What is the trait theory?

Answer 2

• when individual is born with innate characteristics
• these are known as traits and are stable in different situations
• behaviour is consistent therefore react the same
• trait theory attempts to predict behaviour due to the expectation of behaviour

Question 3

What are the problems with the trait theory?

Answer 3

• behaviour can’t always be predicted (e.g footballer is loud and aggressive on the pitch but calm and collected post-match)
• and it does not consider the possibility of personality change (especially after different experiences)

Question 4

Give an example of the trait theory

Answer 4

An extroverted basketball player is extroverted in training, matches and team discussions and outside of sport is loud, bright and opinionated.

Question 5

define socialisation

Answer 5

personality traits being developed by associating with other people and picking up their behaviour

Question 6

What is the social learning approach?

Answer 6

• we learn our characteristics from other people (especially those we hold in high esteem)
• behaviour that’s consistently shown and seen as successful we are more likely to copy
  observe –> identify –> reinforce –> copy

Question 7

What is the interactionist perspective?

Answer 7

• this combines trait and social learning theory to predict behaviour in a specific situation
  B = F(P x E)
  suggests that Behaviour is a Function of Personality and the Environment
  Born traits are adapted according to situation/ environment (if environment changes so does behaviour)

Question 8

What is the Hollander approach? (to do with interactionist perspective)

Answer 8

• it suggests that personality is made of 3 features
  1. core (values + beliefs)
  2. typical responses (use of inherent traits)
  3. role related behaviour (adapting)
• the environment has an influence and increases behaviour change if there is an influence

Question 9

Give an example of the Hollander approach

Answer 9

Football:
core - hard working
typical responses - loves to attack
role related behaviour - works hard to get back and defend
(indicated environment affects behaviour)

Question 10

Define the credulous approach

Answer 10

you believe the theories, you accept the link that personality can predict behaviour

Question 11

Define the sceptical approach

Answer 11

you don’t believe the theories, you doubt the link that personality can predict behaviour

Question 12

What are three ways personality can be measured

Answer 12

1. questionnaires
2. interviews
3. observation

Question 13

advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires

Answer 13

adv
- efficient + quick 
- deals with a lot of info 
disadv
- biased answers 
- can misunderstand questions

Question 14

advantages and disadvantages of observations

Answer 14

adv 
- true to life 
- during a real game 
disadv 
- subjective 
- behaviour change when being watched

Question 15

advantages and disadvantages of interviews

Answer 15

adv 
- more depth 
- specific 
disadv 
- time 
- similar to questionnaires

Question 16

define attitude

Answer 16

a value aimed at an attitude object

Question 17

how are attitudes formed?

Answer 17

• through socialisation

- negative behaviour reinforces a negative attitude (vice versa)

Question 18

what is the triadic model?

Answer 18

1. cognitive - your beliefs and thoughts
2. affective - your feelings or emotional responses
3. behavioural - actions or intended behaviour

Question 19

define cognitive dissonance

Answer 19

challenge to existing beliefs causing disharmony in an individual and a motivation to change attitudes

Question 20

how does cognitive dissonance work within the triadic model?

Answer 20

1. cognitive - give new information
2. affective - create new emotions
3. behavioural - give success/ reinforcement

Question 21

define persuasive communication

Answer 21

effective communication to promote change

- presenting new information to change attitudes

Question 22

how can persuasive communication change negative attitudes?

Answer 22

• persuasion from ‘perceived expert’
• making it fun
• allowing early success
• using positive reinforcement/ rewards
• pointing out the benefits of exercise
• using role models
• cognitive dissonance

Question 23

define arousal

Answer 23

an energised state, a readiness to perform

Question 24

define the zone of optimal functioning

Answer 24

area of controlled arousal and high performance

Question 25

define the ringelmann effect

Answer 25

when a teams performance decreases with group size

Question 26

define attentional wastage

Answer 26

performer concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues, damaging performance (especially in novices)

Question 27

define attentional narrowing

Answer 27

occurs when a performer is aroused so they focus on certain cues and ignore others

• linked to dominant response

Question 28

define social loafing

Answer 28

individual loss of motivation in a team player due to lack of performance identification when efforts aren’t recognised

Question 29

explain what the drive theory is

Answer 29

• linear graph
• P = f (D x H)
• more aroused = better performance
• their dominant response is habitual and is focused on when at high arousal

Question 30

what is the catastrophe theory?

Answer 30

• when a high arousal leads to an increase in performance to an optimal point but there is a dramatic reduction in performance when arousal increases beyond the optimal
• causes: combination of somatic and cognitive anxieties
• player can only recover if initial anxiety is low and there is time

Question 31

what is the inverted U theory?

Answer 31

• an increase in arousal leads to an increase in performance only to a moderate level, afterwhich the performance suffers
• optimal arousal is dependent on the task difficulty, personality and experience

Question 32

what are the problems with the inverted U theory?

Answer 32

• optimal arousal might not occur at the midpoint

- one curve doesn’t explain all tasks

Question 33

what happens when you are under aroused?

Answer 33

1. poor selective attention
2. lack of concentration
3. social loafing
4. ringelmann effect
5. attentional wastage and narrowing
6. poor reaction time
7. peak flow experience

Question 34

what happens when you are over aroused?

Answer 34

1. poor selective attention
2. lack of concentration
3. poor reaction time
4. attentional wastage and narrowing
5. peak flow experience
6. violence
7. break rules

Question 35

what is peak flow performance?

Answer 35

• ultimate intrinsic experience from a positive mental attitude with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency

Question 36

what affects peak flow performance?

Answer 36

• failure to meet optimal arousal
• environmental influences
• injury
• fatigue

Question 37

what does peak flow experience feel like?

Answer 37

• clear goals
• skills feel effortless
• highly focused and confident
• sub-conscious feeling of control

Question 38

how can the zone of optimal functioning be reached?

Answer 38

• advanced cognitive techniques

e. g imagery and visualisation

Question 39

what does the zone of optimal functioning feel like?

Answer 39

• flow effortlessly
• supreme confidence
• calm under pressure
• in total control
• results in a smooth performance