Personality, attitudes, arousal

Question 1

What are some characteristics of the trait theory?

Answer 1

• Inherited characteristics
• Stable and unchanging
• Same behaviour in a variety of situations
• Behaviour is predictable

Question 2

What is bandura’s social learning theory?

Answer 2

• Suggests that people learn from one another
• Via observation, imitation and modelling
• Reinforcement then forces this behaviour to be repeated

Question 3

What is Lewin’s interactionist theory and the formula?

Answer 3

• An explanation of behaviour that assumes that our personality depends on our traits and the environment
• B = f (P.E)
  B - behaviour
  f - function of
  P - personality
  E - environment

Question 4

What are the 4 layers within Hollander’s interactionist approach?

Answer 4

• A psychological core
• Typical responses
• Role related behaviour
• Social behaviour

Question 5

What is an attitude object?

Answer 5

A person, event or activity

Question 6

According to the Triadic Model, attitude has three components learnt from significant others (peers/family), what are they?
And what is the equation linking them?

Answer 6

Cognitive component - what we know/believe about an attitude object
Attitude component - how we feel about an attitude object
Behavioural component - how we behave/respond to an attitude object
Behavioural = attitude + cognitive

Question 7

How could a performer display a positive attitude in training using the 3 components of the triadic model?

Answer 7

Cognitive - Believe they are training in the correct manner and know that training improves performance
Attitude - Have positive feelings and be upbeat about training
Behavioural - Train regularly and play fairly

Question 8

Name the 4 ways in which attitudes can be formed

Answer 8

Past experiences
Socialisation
Conditioning (rewards)
Familiarity

Question 9

What is persuasive communication?

Answer 9

An active, non-coercive attempt to reinforce, modify or change the thoughts/beliefs of others which affect their behaviour

Question 10

Explain what 3 factors does persuasive communication depend upon

Answer 10

Persuader - must be a significant other
Message/new info - must be high quality at an appropriate time/situation
Individual/receiver - resistance to change/strength of current attitude must be low

Question 11

How can each attitude component be changed?

Answer 11

Cognitive - through education/explaining
Attitude - creation of positive experiences
Behavioural - through reinforcement/ exemplar behaviour of significant other

Question 12

What is cognitive dissonance?

Answer 12

Tension resulting from having contradictory thoughts or beliefs about something or someone causes change in thoughts/beliefs which affects behaviour

Question 13

What are some signs of arousal?

Answer 13

• Sweating
• Increased muscle tension
• Increased breathing rate
• Decreased reaction time
• Increased heart rate

Question 14

What is the drive theory?

Answer 14

A theory of arousal that proposes a linear relationship between motivational drive/arousal and high performance level

Question 15

What is the inverted U theory?

Answer 15

A theory of arousal that considers that optimal performance occurs when a performer hits an optimal level of arousal

Question 16

What is the catastrophe theory?

Answer 16

Rapid decline in performance due to over arousal

Question 17

Look at slide 7 on lesson 3 of arousal, what do the letters A-D represent?

Answer 17

A - gradual increase in arousal until optimal level is reached for optimal performance
B - Over arousal due to high anxiety results in a rapid decline in performance
C - performance can continue to decrease and not recover
D - performer can recover back to lower levels of performance if there is only slight over arousal and short duration

Question 18

What is peak flow experience, and some characteristics?

Answer 18

A special place where performance is exceptional
- Focus
- Effortless
- Arousal
- Confidence
- Control