C13 - Personality Theories

Question 1

What consists of the psychological core in the layer structure?

Answer 1

Beliefs + values that remain more/less permanent

Example: A sportsman’s belief that fair play underlies attitude on the field.

Question 2

Give an example of typical behavior in sports.

Answer 2

Stop fighting when the bell rings during boxing

Another example: Shaking hands at the end of a tennis match.

Question 3

What is role-related behavior?

Answer 3

Fact that in other situations we may behave differently

Example: Striking our opponents after the bell when annoyed.

Question 4

Provide an example of role-related behavior in rugby.

Answer 4

Tackling someone when you don’t have the ball.

Question 5

How does the social environment affect behavior in sports?

Answer 5

Behavior + expectations of others affect our role

Example: A player argues with the referee because others have done so and got away with it.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The psychological core consists of _______.

Answer 6

Beliefs + values that remain more/less permanent.

Question 7

True or False: Typical behavior is the most changeable aspect of personality.

Answer 7

False

The most changeable aspect of personality is role-related behavior.

Question 8

What influences a player’s decision to argue with the referee?

Answer 8

Behavior + expectations of others

Players may feel justified in arguing if they have seen others do the same without repercussions.

Question 9

What is the least changeable aspect of personality according to the layer structure?

Answer 9

Psychological core.

Question 10

What is Eysenck’s Personality Theory?

Answer 10

Personality based on two dimensions:
- Introversion-Extraversion
- Neuroticism-Stability

• High extraversion = outgoing, seeks stimulation.
• High neuroticism = emotionally unstable, easily stressed.
• Suggested personality is partly genetic and linked to the Reticular Activation System (RAS).

Question 11

What is Cattell’s Personality Theory?

Answer 11

Identified 16 personality traits that influence behavior.
- Measured using 16PF Questionnaire.
- Traits can be surface-level or deeper core characteristics.
- Suggested personality affects sports performance (e.g., high self-control = better under pressure).

Question 12

What is Hollander’s Structure of Personality?

Answer 12

3 levels:
1. Psychological Core – Deepest, stable part of personality (values, beliefs).
2. Typical Responses – Usual way of behaving in situations.
3. Role-Related Behavior – Adapted personality based on environment (e.g., coach vs. player).
- Personality changes based on social environment.

Question 13

What is Martens’ Personality Theory?

Answer 13

Built on Hollander’s theory.
- Personality is dynamic (changes in different situations).
- Social learning affects personality (e.g., copying role models).
- Behavior = Interaction of personality + environment.

Question 14

What is Wood’s Triadic Model?

Answer 14

Attitude has three components (CAB):
1. Cognitive – Thoughts/beliefs about something.
2. Affective – Feelings/emotions linked to attitude.
3. Behavioral – Actions based on attitude.
- E.g., Athlete believes training is beneficial (Cognitive) → Enjoys training (Affective) → Trains regularly (Behavioral).

Question 15

What is the Reticular Activation System (RAS)?

Answer 15

Part of the brainstem, controls arousal levels.
- Introverts have a highly active RAS = prefer low stimulation.
- Extraverts have a less active RAS = seek excitement.
- Linked to Eysenck’s personality theory.

Question 16

What is Hull’s Drive Theory?

Answer 16

Performance = Habit strength × Drive.
- Higher arousal = improved performance (if skill is well-learned).
- Poorly learned skills = more errors at high arousal.
- Does not explain decline in performance at very high arousal.

Question 17

What is the Inverted U Theory?

Answer 17

Performance increases with arousal up to an optimal point.
- Too much arousal = decline in performance.
- Optimal arousal varies based on skill type & personality:
- Fine skills (e.g., golf putt) = low arousal needed.
- Gross skills (e.g., sprinting) = high arousal needed.
- Extroverts = perform better at higher arousal.
- Introverts = optimal at lower arousal.

Question 18

What is the Zone of Optimal Functioning?

Answer 18

Arousal levels do not follow a single optimal point but a range (zone).
- Some athletes perform best at lower arousal, others at high arousal.
- ZOF varies between individuals & sports.

Question 19

What is Catastrophe Theory?

Answer 19

Performance increases with arousal, but at a critical point, a dramatic drop (catastrophe) occurs.
- Happens when high cognitive & somatic anxiety are present.
- Can recover if arousal is lowered quickly.

Question 20

What is Stress & Anxiety?

Answer 20

Stress: A response to a perceived challenge.
- Anxiety: Emotional state with cognitive (worry) & somatic (physical tension) symptoms.
- Trait Anxiety: Inborn tendency to feel anxious.
- State Anxiety: Temporary anxiety in specific situations.

Question 21

How can athletes control stress & anxiety?

Answer 21

Cognitive strategies:
- Mental rehearsal.
- Imagery.
- Positive self-talk.
- Thought stopping.

Somatic strategies:
- Breathing control.
- Progressive muscular relaxation (PMR).
- Biofeedback.

Question 22

What is Concentration in Sport?

Answer 22

Ability to focus on relevant cues and ignore distractions.
- Types of focus:
- Broad-external (e.g., scanning the field in football).
- Broad-internal (e.g., planning tactics).
- Narrow-external (e.g., focusing on a basketball hoop).
- Narrow-internal (e.g., deep concentration before a dive).

Question 23

What are Somatic Relaxation Techniques?

Answer 23

Methods to reduce physical tension & control arousal:
- Progressive muscular relaxation (PMR): Tensing and relaxing muscles.
- Deep breathing: Reduces heart rate & muscle tension.
- Biofeedback: Uses monitoring devices to control physiological responses.