Psych revision - Week 2 Goals and goal setting

Question 1

What is the definition of a goal?

Answer 1

The object or aim of action

Question 2

What are the three types of goals?

Answer 2

Process goals - Specific behaviors/actions which the performer will engage in during performance to improve technique, form or strategy

Performance goals - Specify end products of indiv. performance
Ex. a specific time in a race

Outcome goals - “Product orientated”, usually based on social comparisons
Ex. winning state champs

Question 3

What ad/disadvantages of outcome goals?

Answer 3

Advantage:
- Create motivation

Disadvantages:
- Often uncontrollable
- Can increase anxiety and negative thoughts
- Can distract or increase irrelevant thoughts

Question 4

What ad/disadvantages of process/performance goals?

Answer 4

Advantages:
- More controllable, less dependent on opponents

Disadvantages:
- Can lead to overthinking and anxiety (performance goals)
- Difficult to prioritize them

Question 5

How does the ‘direct mechanistic view’ propose goals influence our performance?

Answer 5

Goals:

1. Direct attention to important elements of the skill performed
2. Mobilize efforts
3. Prolong persistence
4. Speed up development of new learning strategies

Question 6

The ‘Indirect thought process’ view proposes goals influence our performance through changes in which 4 psychological factors?

Answer 6

Indirect thought-process proposes that performance is influenced by goals leading to changes in psychological factors such as:

1. Lowered anxiety
2. Greater confidence
3. Improved self-regulation
4. Being better at coping with failure

Question 7

What is the SMART principle?

Answer 7

In relation to goals, the SMAFT principle is an acronym for:

S - specific
M- measurable
A - attainable
R- relevant
T - time-based

goals

Question 8

What is the difference between Mastery approach and Mastery avoidance?

Answer 8

Mastery approach to goal setting means that the goal is clear and positive Ex. “Improve time by ‘blank’”

Mastery avoidance is negative goal setting
Ex. “Don’t run slower than ‘blank time”

Question 9

What are the four types of motivation orientation goals?

Answer 9

Mastery approach, mastery avoidance

*Mastery has to do with one’s self, instead of being focused on others or comparisons

Performance approach, performance avoidance

*Performance has to do with comparisons with others; external locus

Question 10

What is goal motivation approach vs. avoidance?

Answer 10

An approach (ex. mastery approach) is a POSITIVE motivation/succeeding Ex. Do’s not don’ts

Avoidance is a NEGATIVE motivation/ avoiding failure (Ex. don’t finish in the bottom half of the race)

Question 11

What is a critical part of goal setting that is often missed along the way or at the end?

Answer 11

Evaluation and feedback on goals