Mental Toughness

Question 1

who first coined the term mental toughness

Answer 1

Loehr

Question 2

problems with mental toughness research

Answer 2

lack of clarity

no agreement on conceptual definition

Question 3

Jones et al 2002 definition of mental toughness

Answer 3

Mental toughness is having the natural or developed psychological edge that enables you to:

generally cope better than your opponents with demands of sport

be more consistent and better than your opponents in remaining determined, focused, confident and in control under pressure

Question 4

mental toughness attributes, name 6

Answer 4

unshakeable belief in ability to achieve goals

bouncing back from setbacks with increased determination

belief that you have unique qualities that make you better than opponents

have insatiable desire and motivation to succeed

remaining fully focused on the task at hand in the face of distractions

regaining psychological control after unexpected events

accepting that anxiety is inevitable and knowing that you can cope with it

not being affected by others performances

thriving under pressure

switching spot focus on and
off as required

Question 5

criticisms of mental toughness definitions

Answer 5

only a superhuman could overcome any obstacle

use of absolute language

Question 6

how was a model of mental toughness developed

Answer 6

based on existing research on the topic
interviews with 12 elite level sports people

this new model resulted in development of MTQ18 and MTQ48 to objectively measure mental toughness

also furthered understanding of hardy personality mode by Kobasa 1979

Question 7

outline Hardy personality model Kobasa 1979

Answer 7

1: Control - internal belief
2: Commitment - not likely to give up
3: Challenge - seeing challenge as just a challenge, not as threat

Question 8

who proposed fourth element of Hardy model

Answer 8

Clough, Earle, Sewell 2002

Question 9

Clough, Earle, Sewell 2002 outline

Answer 9

Proposed confidence as an element

4-C model produced

Question 10

4 Cs of mental toughness

Answer 10

Control
Commitment
Challenge
Confidence

Question 11

define control

Answer 11

the extent to which a person feels they are in control of their life

Question 12

define commitment

Answer 12

the extent to which an individual is likely to persist with a goal or task

Question 13

define challenge

Answer 13

the way in which the individual considers challenge - some see it as a threat, some see it as opportunity

Question 14

define confidence

Answer 14

the self belief the individual has to complete tasks successfully