Chapter 4 - Sports Psychology Flashcards
What is a skill?
A learned action or behaviour with the intention of bringing out pre-determined results
What is an ability?
An inheritied trait that that determines an individual’s potential to learn a skill
What is a trait?
Distinguishing qualities or characteristics belonging to a person
What are the 8 types of skill?
Complex
Basic
Open
Closed
Self-paced
Externally-paced
Gross movement
Fine movement
What is a complex skill?
Skills that take a long time to learn as they rquire higher levels of concentration and coordintation like a pole vault
What is a basic skill?
Skills that require less coordintation and concentration such as throwing or catching
What is an open skill?
Skills that are affected by the environment where the performer must react and adjust to a changing situation like a drop kick in rugby when it’s windy
What is a closed skill?
Skills that are not affected by the environment so skill can be performed in the same way every time like a 10m platform diver
What is a self-paced skill?
A skill that is started when the performer decides to start them and they control the speed of the skill like serving in table tennis
What is an externally-paced skill?
Skills that are started in response to an external factor and the speed of the skill is controlled by your opponent or the environment like a gunshot at the start of a 100m race
What is a gross movement skill?
A skill that uses large muscle groups to performe strong an powerful movements like a triple jump
What is a fine movement skill?
Small and precise movements that require high levels of accuracy and coordination while making use of small muscle groups like spin bowling in cricket
What are performance goals?
Personal standards to be acheived where performers compare themselves against they have already done and no camparison with other performers
What are outcome goals?
Goals focusing on the end result, on winning
What are SMART targets?
A goal setting technique that can be used to increase motivation and reduce anxiety
What does SMART stand for?
Specific
Measurable
Accepted
Realistic
Time-bound
What does sepcific mean in SMART?
Target must be specific to the demands of the sport, muscles used or movements used
What does masureable mean in SMART?
It must be possible to measure wether the specific target has been met or not
What does accepted mean in SMART?
The target must be accepted by the performer and others involved in the training and competition, such as the performer’s coach
What does realistic mean in SMART?
The target must actually be possible to complete and attain
What does time-bound mean in SMART?
Target covers a set period of time so that the performer knows whether or not they have acheived it
What are 2 examples of SMART targets?
- 100m runner attempting to take 0.2 seconds off of their best time by the last race of the season
- A striker in football attempting to score 12 goals by the end of the season compared to the previous season’s 9
What is information processing?
Process that a performer goes through when they make and act on decisions
What are the 4 stages of information processing?
Input
Decision-making
Output
Feedback
What does the input stage of information processing involve?
When information is recieved by the performer via their sense of sight, sound, or intuition so people have selective attention to choose which to focus on
What does the decision-making stage of information processing involve?
The data from the input is analysed and an appropriate response is selected meaning the performer will access memories of similar scenarios and choose a response accordingly
Whaa does the output stage of information processing involve?
The decision from the decision-making stage is acted upon so information is sent from the performer’s brain to the working muscles to carry out a response
What does the feedback stage of information processing involve?
This is where data is received in response to the output which can become input for future decision making and this can be recived in two different ways
What are the three ways feedback can be recieved and how do they work?
Intrinsic - recieved from within the performer through thoughts and emotion
Kinaesthetic - recieved from muscle receptors so physical sensations are felt by the performer providing a form of intrinsic feedback
Extrinsic - recieved from outside the performer coming from many sources such as a coach or spectators
What is the definition for feedback?
The information a performer recieves about their performance given during or after a performance
What is the definition for guidance?
A method of conveying/giving information to to the performer
What are the 4 types of guidance?
Visual
Verbal
Manual
Mechanical
How does each type of guidance work?
Visual - presented in a form that the performer can see
Verbal - when a coach describes how to perform a skill or tells the performer to do something
Manual - coach physically moving the performer into the correct position or supporting them as they perform a skill
Mechanical - when objects or aids are used to assist the coaching process
What are the advantages and disadvantages of visual guidance?
Advantages: - Useful for all levels of performer
- Good for inexperienced performers
- Specific parts of a skill can be observed and can be copied
Disadvantages: - Demonstation must be of high quality
- Some skills are far too difficult to demonstrate
- Not effective if performers aren’t focused
What are the advantages and disadvantages of verbal guidance?
Advantages: - Useful for high level performers
- Useful for sharing basic information
- Questioning can make performers think
Disadvantages: - It can be very tedious and boring
- Complex skills are difficult to explain verbally
- Not useful for inexperienced performers as it uses specific terminology
What are the advantages and disadvantages of manual guidance?
Advantages: - Useful for complete beginners
- Allows performer to develop a feel for the movements
Disadvantages - A movement can feel different when someone id moving you body for you
- Performer may not think they are actually performing the skill themself
What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical guidance?
Advantages: - Useful for dangerous skills
- Allows performers to gain a feel for skills without fear
- Good for building confidence
Disadvantages: - Equipment can expensive and inaccessable
- Performer could come to rely solely on the aid
What is an example for each type of guidance?
Visual - A coach demonstrating a dribbling technique to a group of young footballers
Verbal - A coach talking to a basketball team during a timeout to explain what is being done well and what needs improvement
Manual - A coach moving a beginner tennis player’s body to make correct contact with the ball
Mechanical - A gymnast using specialist ropes to safely perform a summersault
What is positive feedback?
Is about what was correct or good about the performance
What is negative feedback?
Is about what was incorrect or bad about the performance
What are knowledge of results?
Provides the performer with information about their placing in a tournament or the time it took them to complete a race
What is knowledge of performance?
Provides the performer with information about their general performance and their technique more specifically
What are the advantages and disadvantages of positive feedback?
Advantages: - It motivates the performer especially beginners
- It allows all performers believe they had successful aspects of their performance
Disadvantages: - Emphasises positive aspects too highly and suggests the performance was better than reality
What are the advantages and disadvantages of negative feedback?
Advantages: - Enables coach to provide guidance on how skills should be performed
- Helps performers prioritise specific skills to improve on
Disadvantages: - Can become very demoralising for performers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of knowledge of results?
Advantages: - Gives performer a quick measure of their success
Disadvantages: - Can be demotivating for other performers in scenarios with a single winner
What are the advantages and disadvantages of knowledge of performance?
Advantages: - Provides very detailed feedback for experienced performers
- Can focus on one or two aspects of performance for beginners
Disadvantages: - Can be challenging to break a performance down in order to provide the detailed feedback for experienced performers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of intrinsic feedback?
Advantages: - Performers can make immediate adjustment to improve performance
Disadvantages: - Requires a high level of knowledge about a particular activity chich isn’t ideal for beginners
What are the advantages and disadvantages of extrinsic feedback?
Advantages: - Good for beginners as coaches can make performers aware of techniques to use
- Good for experienced performers as they can combine intrinsic and extrinsic to improve their performance
Disadvantages: - Can be difficult to get advice from qualified coaches
What is the definition for arousal?
A physical and mental state of alertness and readiness
What is the ‘inverted U theory’?
States that an optimal performance occurs when a performer reaches an optimal level of arousal
What levels of arousal do gross and fine movements require?
Gross movements - High levels of arousal as the body must be very alert and ready
Fine movements - Lower levels of arousal as the body must be calm to ensure high levels of coordination
What are the three stress management techniques?
Deep breathing
Mental rehearsal, visualisation and imagery
Positive self talk
What does deep breathing involve?
Taking slow, deep breaths whilst relaxed
What does mental rehearsal, visualisation and imagery involve?
Cognitive relaxation techniques involving control of mental thoughts and imagining positive outcomes
What does positive self talk involve?
A cognitive relaxation technique involving developing positive thoughts about your performance
What is the definition for aggression?
The deliberate intent to harm or injure another person which can be controlled
What are the two types of aggression?
Direct and Indirect aggression
What does direct aggression involve?
An aggressive act that involves physical contact with others with purpose
What does indirect aggression involve?
An aggressive act that does not involve direct physical contact and is taken out on an object to gain an advantage
What are the two personality types?
Introvert and Extrovert
What does an introverted personality involve?
A passive and reserved personality type usually associated with individual sports performance
What does an extroverted personality involve?
A sociable outgoing personality usually associated with team sports
What is the definition for motivation?
The drive to succeed or desire to achieve or be inspired to do something and it can be intrinsic or extrinsic
What does intrinsic motivation involve?
The drive to succeed that comes from within
What does extrinsic motivation involve?
The drive to perform well or to win in order to gain external rewards
