Chapter 8: Performance Psychology Interventions

Question 1

Summarized Ken Ravizza’s Theory of Performance Excellence.

Answer 1

Ken taught the series of R’s (recognize, release, regroup, refocus, ready, and respond) to get performers to focus on task relevant cues.

He used the traffic light example to have performers checking in continually during performance. He did not want performers to be perfect, but to be able to perform through adversity.

Question 2

Summarize Frank Abrahamsen’s Theory of Performance Excellence.

Answer 2

Believed in the ‘big 4’ motivation, stress and performance anxiety, relationships, and focus and attention.

Question 3

What is a performance profile?

Answer 3

Developed by Butler and Hardy, used to help athletes develop their self-awareness.

Have a conversation with athletes about what qualities are important for success in their field and then systematically take them through a process that evaluates those skills against the perfect framework or concept.

Question 4

What is are key points to include in a training journal?

Answer 4

Notes about relevant elements and experiences before, during, and after competition are logged. This process can help performers identify and develop routines that work, avoid or train to cope with distractions, and become aware of elements that need improving.

Question 5

What are some important considerations for MPCs working on-site or brief contact interventions? (working with athletes at practice or in between events at a performance)

Answer 5

preparing for this type of work;

ensuring self-care to navigate long, busy days and stress;

having prior exposure to clients (e.g., training, performances) so clients are accustomed to the consultants and find it easy to contact them;

being near but not in the way;

avoiding creating dependency;

understanding the impact of reduced or shifting boundaries and the potential for role ambiguity; and

being prepared for issues not normally encountered in consultancy.

Question 6

How can we help athletes/clients that have to function in chaotic environments?

Answer 6

Work with them to control the controllables while also keeping flexible and being able to cope with the uncontrollable.

Question 7

What is Contingency Planning?

Answer 7

With proper attention to a series of what-if or if-then scenarios, is key to a focus on controlling everything that can be controlled and accepting (or finding other ways to cope with) that which cannot be controlled. Planning is important—not only for reducing practical and logistical errors but also for the psychological impact of reducing uncertainty (Wilson & Richards, 2011).

Question 8

What is Mental Contrasting?

Answer 8

Imagining the goal that one wants to achieve some time in the future and then imagining the path to reach the goal, with all its obstacles and challenges to solve on its way.

Question 9

What are some ways in which the MPC can help clients in high pressure situations try to avoid ‘choking’?

Answer 9

Using implicit learning, which will minimize the verbal knowledge that could make performers more susceptible to deautomatization and choking

Employing acclimatization strategies, whereby performers are exposed to self-awareness during training to help them adapt to being in that state during competition

Minimizing thinking time to avoid overthinking the task

Recognizing specific cues that could distract performers from a focus and might make them prone to choke

Using a strategy focus, whereby performers focus on global areas of the task and consequently avoid getting caught up in mechanics of their movements

Creating and using consistent preperformance routines

Identifying and using refocusing and self-regulation strategies to cope more effectively in the moment of pressure

Normalizing mistakes

Learning to accept emotional distress and uncomfortable emotions when performing in high-pressure situations (Jackson & Beilock, 2007; Jordet, 2010; Marchant et al., 2014)

Question 10

What is the definition of Team Building?

Answer 10

“a method of helping the group to (a) increase its effectiveness, (b) satisfy the needs of its members, and (c) improve work conditions” (Brawley & Paskevich, 1997, p. 13).

Question 11

What are some effective ways to present content and invoke change with a team?

Answer 11

1.Stories and Examples (live speaking, videos)
2. Engage with their emotions
3. Create a safe environment (physically and psychologically) ENCOURAGE VULNERABILITY
4. Manage conflict