Skill acquisition

Question 1

Where in the brain is the:

1. Short term memory storage
2. Long term memory storage.

Answer 1

1. Hippocampus

2. Cortex

Question 2

What are the 3 stages of remembering information, as developed by Atkinson and Shiffren?

Answer 2

1. Encoding - conversion of information into codes.
   Visual codes: info is taken visually
   Auditory codes: someone tells you info
   Semantic codes: Conversion of info, according to meaning.
2. Storage
   Retention of info over time.
3. Retrieval
   Recovering stored info. Success of retrieval depends on how well known the info is.

Question 3

What occurs in Short-term sensory stores?

Answer 3

This is the filtering stage, where selective attention takes place. Information is held here for up to one second.
Athletes must concentrate on important info and shut out distarctions.

Question 4

What occurs in short term memory?

Answer 4

Incoming info is judged. Seven pieces of info can be held here, for up to 30 seconds. To extend this time, information should be rehearsed by:
1. Imagery
2. Sub-verbal repetition (talk to yourself)
Information can be held here by chunking.

Question 5

What occurs in long term memory?

Answer 5

Learned movements are stored here, as they have been rehearsed.
Relevant and successful performances are remembered.
Info sent back to short term memory, to be used for the present situation.

Question 6

What is Craik and Lockharts levels of processing model all about?

Answer 6

The model seeks to explain what we do with the information, rather than how it is stored.
How deeply we consider or process information dictates how long memory lasts.

Question 7

According to the processing model, how can info be transferred to the long-term memory?

Answer 7

If info is:
1. Considered
2. Understood
3. Has meaning
it will be remembered more.

Question 8

What are the 3 possible levels of processing verbal information in Craik and Lockhart’s levels of processing model?

Answer 8

1. Structural level (shallow level of processing)
2. Phonetic level
3. Semantic level (deep level of processing)

The deeper the learning, the more the skill is engrained into the long term memory.

Question 9

What are attributions?

Answer 9

Perceived causes of a particular outcome, and are often the reasons we give for the results we achieve.

Question 10

What 4 main reasons did Weiner include in his model of attribution?

Answer 10

Ability, Effort, Task Difficulty, Luck

Question 11

Using Weiners model of attribution, how can we motivate a successful athlete to achieve again?

Answer 11

If the reason attributed to winning are stable (ability and task difficulty), the athlete is more motivated to achieve again.

Question 12

Using Weiners model of attribution, how can we motivate a athlete who has lost, to try again?

Answer 12

If the reasons attributed to losing are unstable (effort and luck), the athlete is more likely to try again.

Question 13

What is a self-serving bias?

Answer 13

A persons tendency to attribute their failure to external factors.
E.g: “lighting was bad”, “floor was slippery”
Protects the athletes self-esteem.

Question 14

What is sports confidence?

Answer 14

Belief or degree of certainty individuals possess about their ability to be successful in sport.

Question 15

What is self-efficacy?

Answer 15

Self-confidence we have in SPECIFIC SITUATIONS.

Question 16

Our self-efficacy depends on 4 types of information according to Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy.
What are they?

Answer 16

1. Performers accomplishments (past experiences). If success has been experienced in the past, then feelings of self-confidence will likely be high.
2. Vicarious experiences. What we have observed, if we see other be successful, it will motivate us.
3. Verbal persuasion. Significant others are likely to be able to encourage you to “give it a go”
4. Emotional arousal. If you can control physiological and psychological arousal levels, you are more likely to have self-efficacy.

Question 17

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 17

Refers to a belief that failure is inevitable, and a feeling of hopelessness when faced with a particular situation.

Question 18

How can learned helplessness be modified into mastery orientation?

Answer 18

They often attribute failure to internal, controllable and unstable factors, such as effort, and will continue to strive to become better.

Question 19

How can stress arise in sports?

Answer 19

Stress often arises in situations as an athletes perception is that their capabilities may not match the demand.

Question 20

Give some examples of stressors in sport.

Answer 20

Competition, Injury, Evaluation in Sport, Frustration

Question 21

What 2 types of state anxiety have been recognised?

Answer 21

1. Cognitive anxiety (stress response of the mind)

2. Somatic anxiety (stress response of the body)