Chapter 1 - Introduction Flashcards
Behaviour
is anything that a person says or does
- technically, any muscular, glandular, or electrical activity of an organism
- synonyms include: performance, reaction, response, & activity
Overt Behaviour
can be easily monitored by others
- skating, shooting a hockey puck, throwing a baseball, doing a forward somersault in gymnastics, yelling at a referee, & arguing with a teammate
Covert Behaviour
(internal) activities that cannot be readily monitored by observers
- just before a golfer is about to attempt an important putt, she might think to herself, “I hope I don’t miss,” & she is likely to feel nervous (increased heart rate, etc.)
- thinking & feelings
Behaviour Deficits
too little behaviour of a particular type
Examples of Behavioural Deficits
- A hockey player does not arrive at practice on time & does not complete assigned drills
- A tennis player does not practice the forehand shot (instead she frequently works on her serve)
- A figure skater does not write out a precompetition plan that would describe her specific mental preparation activities during the last half hour before she skates her program at a competition
- A coach rarely praises young athletes after good plays
Behaviour Excesses
too much behaviour of a particular type
Examples of Behavioural Excesses
- A baseball player frequently swears at the umpire & throws his bat
- A gymnast experiences considerable anxiety (i.e., heart pounding, palms sweating, etc.) just before competing
- A young soccer player frequently grabs the ball with her hands
- A golfer often thinks negatively (i.e., “If I miss this one, I’ll lose!”) just before important shots
Behaviour Analysis
the study of the scientific laws that govern the behaviour of humans & other animals
Behaviour Modification or Applied Behaviour Analysis
application of behavioural techniques to help individuals in everyday living are referred to collectively as _________
Behavioural Sport Psychology
involves the use of behaviour analysis principles & techniques to enhance the performance & satisfaction of athletes & others associated with sports
Characteristics of Behavioural Sport Psychology
- A strong emphasis on DEFINING an athlete’s GOALS &/or PROBLEMS in terms of behaviour that can be measured in some way, & using changes in the behavioural measure as the best indicator of the extend to which the athlete is being helped
- Its treatment PROCEDURES & TECHNIQUES are ways of REARRANGING ANTECEDENTS & CONSEQUENCES of an athlete’s behaviour
- behavioural psychology treatment procedures & techniques are based on the principles & procedures of RESPONDENT conditioning & OPERANT conditioning
- It interprets COGNITIVE techniques in terms of operant & respondent conditioning of COVERT & OVERT behaviours
- Behavioural sport psychology researchers have commonly used SINGLE-SUBJECT research design
- It places high value on ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERYONE involved in the design, implementation, & evaluation of a sports psychology program
Target Behaviours
behaviours to be improved in a behavioural sport psychology program
Stimuli (plural of stimulus)
specific physical variables in one’s immediate surroundings that impinge on one’s sense receptors & that can affect behaviour
- the antecedents & consequences that are typically manipulated
Cognitive
means “belief,” “thought,” “expectancy,” & “attitude”
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
has yielded useful techniques for helping individuals to overcome problem behaviour & troublesome emotions by getting rid of unproductive, debilitating thoughts or beliefs, & adopting more constructive ones
