Personality Flashcards
1
Q
What is personality?
A
- Definition: a unique psychological make up.
- Coaches need to understand an athletes personality in order to get the best out of them.
- Some psychologists argue that personality characteristics are innate, others argue they are learned. This is the nature vs nurture debate.
2
Q
Personality traits: extroverts
A
- Outgoing
- Comfortable in other peoples company.
- Tend to prefer team sports
- Very confident
- Cope better with arousal
- Perform better under pressure
- Likes a challenge
- Enjoy responsibility
3
Q
Personality traits: introverts
A
- Shy/reserved
- Comfortable in own company.
- Tend to prefer individual sports.
- Don’t work well when over-aroused.
- Prefer activities that involve accuracy rather than force.
4
Q
Trait theory (nature)- features
A
- Believes that individuals are born with innate characteristics, called traits.
- These are determined genetically.
- These are deemed to be stable as they are permanent in differing situations.
- Behaviour is seen to be consistent.
- This theory therefore suggests that personality and behaviour can be predicted.
5
Q
Trait theory (nature)- A03
A
- Explains the biological role.
- Simple to understand.
- Measurable (personality test).
But… - Personalities/ behaviour can change with the situation/ environment.
- Trait theory does not consider that our personalities can be formed by experience.
- Individuals may consciously decide to structure their own personality.
6
Q
The Social learning approach
A
- Believes we learn our personality/ behaviours from other people, especially those we hold in high esteem (significant others, role models etc.)
- Personality traits are developed by associating with others (socialisation) and picking up their behaviours that are seen to be reinforced, successful and powerful.
- More likely to copy behaviour that is consistently shown to us (modelling).
- It changes according to the situation, so personality/ behaviour cannot be predicted.
Observe — Identify— Reinforce — Copy.
7
Q
The Social learning approach- A03
A
- Explains the influence of the environment.
- Gives control to coach/teacher (they can change behaviour).
But…. - Completely disregards the genetical aspect to trait theory and that a person has a natural tendency to show specific behaviours in any given situation.
- Hard to measure the influence of learning/ change of behaviour.
- Some people never change.