Psychology and Sports

Question 1

Personality

Answer 1

The word ‘personality’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Persona’, which means ‘mask’.
Personality usually means that an individual is much more than his outer appearance.
Personality is a dynamic and organized set of characteristics possessed by a person that influences his/her cognitions, emotions, motivations and behaviors in various situations. Personality also refers to the patterns of thoughts, feelings, social adjustments and behaviours persistently exhibited over time that strongly influences one’s expectations, self-perceptions, attitudes and values. It can also be said that personalities is the sum of inner and outer capabilities of an individual.

Question 2

Dimensions of Personalities

Answer 2

These aspects or dimensions of personalities together make the personality of an individual. In fact, personality is the collective as well as integrated image of various dimensions such as physical dimension, mental dimension, social dimension and emotional dimension. These dimension are interrelated.

Question 3

The significant dimensions of elucidated are

Answer 3

1. Physical Dimension
2. Mental Dimension
3. Social Dimension
4. Emotional Dimension

Question 4

Physical Dimension

Answer 4

Physical dimension is considered the most significant dimension of personality. It is based on the fact that first impression is the last impression. In fact, Physical dimension is related to good physique, good appearance, good health, etc. The inner qualities do not matter in the beginning. Physique is the foundation of personality which has the beginning effect on the viewers. The physical structure of an individual is related to the heredity of the individual but certain traits of one’s personality are improved in proper environment. Balanced diet, Physical exercises and other environmental factors improve physique, appearance, health, posture and glow on the face of an individual. Physically weak individuals can neither protect themselves nor contribute in the progress of their nation.

Question 5

Mental Dimension

Answer 5

Mental dimension is the most significant attribute of personality. Mental dimension is related to mental and intellectual strength and abilities. Nobody can contribute to the society until and unless one is mentally sound and has acquired ample knowledge. Those who are not mentally sound, have nothing to offer others. The development of thinking, reasoning, intuition and judgement, etc., are possible only through education. If one lays more stress on struggles and learning, then he/she becomes more intellectual.

Question 6

Social Dimension

Answer 6

Social dimension is the next important dimension of personality. Human are social animals. Man does not live for himself alone, he lives for others too. Sociability is inherent in man’s biological nature. The process of socialization starts right from the time of one’s birth. Human child learns to behave because he is basically sociable. He learns by imitation, he learns by examples and he learns by perception. He is influenced in the first stance by behavioural patterns, customs, traditions, norms, standards and manners prevalent in the society. A good personality is one which is sociable and socialising. The social qualities like character, morality, etiquettes, manners, work ethics, friendliness, good attitude, helpful nature, cooperation, sympathy, kindness, etc., are the qualities or traits essential for good personality.

Question 7

Emotional Dimension

Answer 7

Emotional dimension is also an important dimension of personality. Emotional dimension is related to emotional stability. It is an ingredient of balanced personality. It means that one must have proper control over various emotions such as fear, anger, disgust, distress, amusement, happiness, etc., in different situations. Spontaneous outburst of such emotions is not accepted as a sign of good personality. It is a sign of immaturity.

Question 8

Type ‘A’ Personality

Answer 8

✓The individuals with this type of personality are VERY COMPETITIVE.
✓ Self-critical
✓Characterized by high working involvement
✓Easily excited and owing to that they usually fall prey to hypertension.
✓Experience a persistent sense of urgency.
✓Always Seems to struggling against the clock.
✓Become impatient with delays.
✓Easily be aroused to anger, hostility and aggression.
✓More prone to heart ailments.

Question 9

Type ‘B’ personality

Answer 9

✓Not competitive in nature.
✓ Easy going and patient
✓Do not become angry and hostile
✓Able to express their emotions appropriately
✓Cope with stress effectively
✓Not overachievers and overambitious in life
✓Usually quite satisfied with their lives
✓They are called successful persons in life.

Question 10

Type ‘C’ personality

Answer 10

✓Pleasing and appeasing nature.
✓Unable to express their emotions specially anger
✓ Suppress their emotions efficiently
✓Are lethargic, passive, hopeless and pessimistic
✓Sometimes, deny their own needs
✓Feel alone and it begins at an early age
✓May enhance the risk of cancer

Question 11

Type ‘D’ personality

Answer 11

✓ Usually suffer from high degree of distress
✓ Persistently suppress their feelings
✓ Don’t share their emotions with other persons because they always have a fear of rejection or disapproval
✓ Susceptible to high blood pressure in the machine and depression
✓ Prone to heart ailments
✓ They usually lead a poor quality of life

Question 12

WH Sheldon classified personality of India individuals into the following categories

Answer 12

1. Endomorph
2. Mesomorph
3. Ectomorph

Question 13

Jung’s classification

Answer 13

1. Introverts
2. Extroverts
3. Ambiverts

Question 14

The Big Five personality traits are

Answer 14

1. Openness
2. Conscientious
3. Extroversion
4. Agreeableness
5. Neuroticism

Question 15

Explain Endomorph

Answer 15

✓ Have short arms and legs
✓ Rounded physique
✓ limbs seem to be shorter because of excessive deposits of adipose tissue
✓ Upper parts of arms and legs are significantly thicker than the lower parts
✓ Hard for them to lose weight
✓ have soft body
✓ have underdeveloped muscles
✓ have a capacity for high fat storage and become fat easily
✓ more inclined to become obese
✓ peer-shaped body
✓ Sports and games which requires strength like weightlifting and upper and power lifting are most suitable for endomorphs.

Question 16

Explain mesomorph

Answer 16

In between the other two body types
✓ Described as muscular
✓ have athletic physique and balanced body composition
able to increase their muscle size quickly and easily
✓ Well developed rectangular shaped body
✓ Have thick bones and muscles
✓ Physically capable of doing a lot of activities
✓ Tend to be athletically aggressive
✓ Store fat evenly all over the bodies
✓ Excel is such sports which require great strength, short bursts of energy and lots of power because they have strength, agility and speed

Question 17

Explain ectomorph

Answer 17

✓ Referred to slim persons
✓ there are muscles and limbs are elongated
✓ weak constitution of body
✓ face great difficulties in gaining weight
✓ Have Flat chest and less muscle mass
✓ Do not have a lot of strength but they dominate the endurance sports
✓ quick metabolism to burn fat
✓ Light body constitution makes them suited for aerobic activities like gymnastics

Question 18

Introverts

Answer 18

These are the persons who share characteristics such as Shyness, social withdrawal and tendency to talk less. Owing to these characteristics such persons seems to be self-centered unable to adjust easily in society or social situations. They are very sensible, rigid in ideas and future oriented. They are more comfortable living alone. They keep their social circle limited.

Question 19

Extroverts

Answer 19

Extroverts have a tendency to be friendly outgoing talkative and social in nature they usually prefer social contacts. They are generous, supportive and courageous fully stopped they may be called happy go lucky persons they show interest in present reality than future they do not have hesitation. they express their feelings openly. they take decisions and act upon it quickly they are not affected easily by difficulties and troubles. they are socially more active and more aware of what is going on near/around them. They usually make quick decisions.

Question 20

Ambiverts

Answer 20

There are only few persons who are pure introverts or pure extroverts. The remaining majority of persons possess both the qualities or traits of introverts and extroverts such persons are called as ambiverts. They are socially comfortable and interactive, yet value alone time. They prefer spending time with two or three persons instead of a large group.

Question 21

Openness

Answer 21

✓ who likes to learn new things, new concepts and enjoy new experiences.
✓ Openness includes traits like being imaginative, insightful and having a variety of interests.

Question 22

Conscientiousness

Answer 22

✓ Are reliable and prompt
✓ Organized, systematic, punctual, achievement oriented and dependable.

Question 23

Extroversion

Answer 23

Outgoing, talkative, sociable and enjoys being in social situations

Question 24

Agreeableness

Answer 24

Affable, tolerant, sensitive, trusting, kind and warm

Question 25

Neuroticism

Answer 25

✓Emotional stability
✓Anxious, irritable, temperamental and moody.

Question 26

Aggression

Answer 26

Aggression is a behaviour with a goal of harming or injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such treatment.

Question 27

Berkowitz summarized that two factors are required to classify a behavior as showing aggression

Answer 27

(i) The behavior must be directed at another human being with the goal of causing some form of physical harm.
(ii) The behavior must show a reasonable expectation that the attempt to inflict harm will be successful.

Question 28

Gill mentions three factors for an up to be aggressive. They are:

Answer 28

✓ the act must actually happen either physically or verbally, the act of thinking an aggressive action is not enough.
✓ It must harm another person either physically or emotionally.
✓ it must be an intentional action.

Question 29

Types of aggression in sports

Answer 29

1. Hostile aggression: ✓ Reactive aggression
   ✓ The primary aim is to cause physical harm or injury to your opponent.
   ✓ can be accompanied by anger
   ✓ Example- bowler throwing A bouncer deliberately to shake up the concentration of a batsman.
2. Instrumental Aggression- ✓Channelled aggression
   ✓ Not accompanied by anger
   ✓ behavior that has the intent to hurt in order to achieve money, praise or victory.
   ✓ Example- a rugby player using aggression to tackle his opponent when the ball. Actually the player is not using his aggression to hurt the opponent but rather to win the ball back.
3. Assertive behavior- ✓ Behavior that involves the use of legitimate physical or verbal force to achieve one’s purpose
   ✓ Intention is to establish dominance rather than to harm the opponent
   ✓ It is accidental and unintentional
   ✓ it is goal oriented, not intending to harm, uses only legitimate force and does not break any rule of the game or sport.
   ✓ Example- sledging in cricket to cause psychological discomfort for the batsman.

Question 30

Psychological attributes in sports are

Answer 30

✓ Self esteem
✓ Mental imagery
✓ Self-talk
✓ Goal setting

Question 31

Self esteem

Answer 31

Self esteem is the positive or negative evaluation of the self as in how we feel about it. It plays a very vital role in attaining success in the field of king and sports.
Indeed higher self steam is a major factor for accomplishment of success in sports.

Athletes with high self esteem take risks more courageously. They do not set too high demands on themselves and highly value themselves. They are able to deal with failure as compared to the athletes with low self esteem. They have low anxiety, better mental and physical health, more resistant to stress and tension and more confident.

Question 32

Mental Imagery

Answer 32

It can defined as pictures in the mind Or a visual representation in the absence of environmental input.
✓Help athletes to remain confident, focused and mentally tough.
✓ Help athletes to build on their strength and help to eliminate their weariness.

Question 33

Self-talk

Answer 33

Self talk is the way you talk to yourself on your inner voice. It is a mental dialogue. It is influenced by subconscious mind.
Self talk can be both negative self talk and positive self talk As it depends on your personality.
Self talk can produce significant improvements in performance. It can be a game changer. Self talk can do wonders by replacing all of your fear with courage.

Question 34

Goals setting

Answer 34

Goals help to keep sport persons on target. Goals should be specific, measurable, difficult but attainable time based written down and a combination of short and long term goals. Goals should be monitored on a regular basis. Each long term goal should also have a series of short-term goals.

-Process and performance