Chapter 6

Question 1

Define a rule, and give a sport example that is not in this chapter.

Answer 1

1. a rule is a statement that, in a particular situation, a specific behavior will pay off
2. If a basketball player commits a personal foul, they will give the opposing team free throws
3. The antecedent: The specific conditions or situations where the behavior is expected to occur. (while playing basketball)
4. The behavior: The specific action or behavior that is performed. (fouling player)
5. The consequence: The outcome that follows the behavior, which can be reinforcing or punishing. (opposing team gets free throws)

Question 2

example of a rule

Answer 2

1. If you want to improve your sprinting speed, make sure to warm up properly before each practice
2. Antecedent: Wanting to improve sprinting speed.
3. Behavior: Warming up properly.
4. Consequence: Improved sprinting speed.

Question 3

What is a partial rule?

Answer 3

1. If you get a penalty during the game, you need to sit out for a few minutes
2. Antecedent: When playing hockey
3. Behavior: Getting a penalty
4. Consequence: Serving the penalty

Question 4

Define contingency-learned behavior

Answer 4

1. behavior that has been strengthened (or weakened) in settings by the direct effects of consequences in those settings.
   
   1. bending legs to be more in ready position from getting caught off guard.

Question 5

Define rule-governed behavior and give a sport example that is not in this chapter

Answer 5

1. behavior that is controlled by the statement of a rule
   
   1. make 3 consecutive shots during practice and you get to leave early

Question 6

Describe two typical differences between contingency-learned versus rule-governed behavior.

Answer 6

1. Contingency learned behavior
   
   1. typically strengthened gradually through trial and error
   2. involves immediate consequences
2. rule governed behavior
   
   1. immediate behavior change
   2. involves delayed consequences

Question 7

Describe three plausible explanations of why we learn to follow rules which have delayed consequences

Answer 7

1. other people might provide immediate consequences if the individual follows the rule (coach saying keep it up to get insert consequence)
2. individual might follow a rule and immediately make reinforcing statements to themselves - opposite may also be true (making statement to then follow the rule)
3. learning history with respect to emotions is such that following rules is automatically strengthened and failure to follow rules is immediately punished.

Question 8

Identify four situations where rules are helpful.

Answer 8

1. when rapid behavior change is desirable - positive self talk when given out by a sport psychiatrist is a rule
2. when consequences that might be provided for a behavior are too delayed to directly reinforce the behavior - tiger woods adding the rule if i miss a putt i restart
3. when you would like to maintain a behavior for which natural reinforcers are immediate but highly intermittent - skater may only land jump every 10 - 15 tries, rule of, be persistent, the very next try might be the jump i land it
4. when a specific behavior will lead to immediate and severe punishment - fouls in a game

Question 9

Why is it that the rule “I’m going to exercise more so that I will feel better” often is not effective for a person?

Answer 9

1. there is no deadline, the opposite behavior of sitting around or being on you phone is immediately reinforced, and the rule is too vague - what is more, what is feel better

Question 10

What are two reasons that many people do not wear a helmet when riding a bicycle even though doing so could prevent brain damage from a serious accident?

Answer 10

1. the opposite behaviors consequences are reinforcing, not wearing a helmet means not having a hot and uncomfortable time
2. they may think it is unlikely for them to be caught in an accident

Question 11

What are two reasons that the rule, “I’m going to eat healthier and lose some weight,” is so difficult to follow for many people?

Answer 11

1. the immediate negative effects of eating unhealthy are often not immediately noticeable
2. its too vague about healthier and some weight

Question 12

What are four characteristics of rules that are often effective in controlling behavior?

Answer 12

1. specific
2. sizeable consequences
3. probable consequences
4. shorter deadlines

Question 13

What are five characteristics of rules that are often ineffective in controlling behavior?

Answer 13

1. vague
2. small consequences
3. improbable consequences
4. consequences might act against rule following
5. later deadlines

Question 14

What type of goal is an outcome goal?

Answer 14

goals for results against competitors - qualifying, winning against such and such team

Question 15

What type of goal is a performance-standard goal?

Answer 15

meet a performance goal - sub 1 hour marathon, 15 min 5K

Question 16

What type of goal is an execution or process goal?

Answer 16

1. for performing skills a certain way
   
   1. weight the outside foot in the corner
   2. push 100%

Question 17

What is a mastery criterion?

Answer 17

specific guideline for performing a skill such that if the guideline is met the skill is likely to be mastered - cornering by going through the apex (tape to tape) and carrying the most speed (possibly set amount)

Question 18

A mastery criterion is typically formulated so that what two assumptions are likely to be met?

Answer 18

1. if asked to do sometime later, should be done properly
2. able to replicate in competitions

Question 19

With young athletes, why is it that ““do your best” goals may not be effective at competitions? Why might they not be effective at practices?

Answer 19

1. they may interpret it as, do the best you have ever done
2. may set relatively easy goals

Question 20

According to Hayes and colleagues, why is public goal setting likely to be more effective than private goal setting?

Answer 20

it implies social consequences for achieving or not achieving the goal

Question 21

From a behavioral perspective, what is the meaning of commitment in the context of goal setting?

Answer 21

1. statements or actions by a person setting a goal that imply that
   
   1. the goal is important
   2. he or she will work toward it
   3. he or she recognizes the benefits of doing so
2. a runner setting a goal of running a marathon under 4 hours (or 3)
   
   1. it will qualify them for the Boston marathon, which is important to them
   2. they train consistently, showing they will work for it
   3. they recognize that it will make them feel accomplished and help them stay healthy

Question 22

List four strategies for helping an individual to maintain commitment to meet specific goals.

Answer 22

1. making ones commitments public
2. rearrange his or her environment to provide frequent reminders of their commitment to their goal
3. frequently review the benefits of achieving their goal
4. plan ahead to deal with temptations to give up on their goals