Section B

Question 1

Explain the limitations of personality profiling in sport.

Answer 1

1 behaviour changes if being observed / judged / profiled OR lack of ecological
validity;
2 people lie OR give answers that put them in a good light;
3 people misunderstand questions / people find it hard to self-assess;
4 results do not relate to sporting performance;
5 people act differently in different situations, e.g. friendly vs. cup final;
6 results are subjective OR results can be interpreted differently by different people
OR stereotyping;
7 answers can be influenced by performer’s previous experiences of profiling;
8 answers are dependent on performer’s mood / external influences on performer;

Question 2

Explain the importance of effective leadership in sport.

Answer 2

1 motivates individuals to perform better OR gets the best out of performers;
2 improves confidence of performers;
3 increases cohesion in team / group;
4 sets appropriate goals OR shares a vision with the group OR makes task clear
OR makes good decisions;
5 develops good discipline;
6 sets high standards;
7 increases enjoyment / satisfaction of individuals;

Question 3

State what is meant by the term attentional control.

Answer 3

ability to concentrate / focus (on relevant cues);

Question 4

Explain, using sporting examples, how a coach could encourage a performer to use
attentional control effectively.

Answer 4

1 ensure performer is aware of which cues to focus on OR increase intensity of
stimulus OR tell player to focus on one opponent;
2 ensure performer understands their optimal arousal level for a particular skill, e.g.
a shot putter knowing that high arousal will improve power;
3 ensure performer can identify attentional style needed for a particular situation,
e.g. badminton server using narrow internal style to think about how and where
they are going to serve;
4 introduce distractions into training, e.g. tennis coach playing recording of crowd
noise during practice;
5 use rewards / positive reinforcement (for good focus), e.g. prize for most focused
netballer during practice;
6 use goal-setting, e.g. netball shooter must score ten consecutive shots;
7 use mental rehearsal / imagery / relaxation techniques, e.g. rehearse gym routine;

Question 5

Explain how a performer’s attention is affected by different levels of arousal.

Answer 5

1 at low / under arousal attentional field is wide OR focus is on a lot of cues OR at
low arousal there is a lack of focus;
2 as arousal increases attentional field narrows OR focus is more likely to be on
relevant cues OR perceptual narrowing occurs;
3 at optimal arousal attention / focus is only on relevant cues OR cue utilisation
occurs;
4 at high / over arousal attention / focus is only on a few cues OR relevant cues
may be missed OR hyper vigilance / blind panic occurs;

Question 6

State what is meant by the term anxiety.

Answer 6

1 negative aspect of stress OR negative emotional feelings OR worry due to fear of
failure;

Question 7

Describe four possible causes of anxiety in sport.

Answer 7

1 importance of the event / competition / pressure to win / size of crowd;
2 fear of failure / losing / performing badly / letting others down / lack of preparation;
3 fear of evaluation / embarrassment;
4 fear of injury;
5 fear of the unknown;
6 quality of opposition;
7 unfamiliar environment / kit / equipment;
8 poor officiating;
9 interpretation of (somatic) effects of arousal;
10 innate / trait / personality;

Question 8

Describe the instinct theory of aggression.

Answer 8

1 aggression is a trait / natural behaviour (that builds up in our body);
2 innate characteristic / genetic / inherited;
3 stable / enduring characteristic;
4 aggression needs a release (or will be dangerous to well-being);
5 « (known as) catharsis;
6 sport can provide an acceptable way to release of aggression;
7 reference to death instinct / life instinct (Freud, Lorenz);

Question 9

Explain, using a sporting example, what is meant by the term channelled aggression,
and why a coach is justified in encouraging this form of aggression in sport

Answer 9

1 (definition) forceful behaviour that is within laws of activity;
2 (also known as) assertion OR instrumental aggression;
3 an example, e.g. strong tackle in rugby;
4 goal-directed behaviour OR behaviour aimed at achieving success OR
opponents will also use it;
5 legal / legitimate use of verbal / physical force;
6 no intention to harm / injure opponent;
7 intimidates / distracts / ‘psyches out’ opponent OR reduces performance of
opponent;